Early warning thresholds for partially saturated slopes in volcanic ashes
- Autori: Eichenberger, J.; Ferrari, A.; Laloui, L.
- Anno di pubblicazione: 2013
- Tipologia: Articolo in rivista (Articolo in rivista)
- Parole Chiave: Early warning threshold; Partially saturated soil; Rain infiltration; Seepage analysis; Slope stability; Volcanic ash; Computer Science Applications1707 Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition; Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/164443
Abstract
Rainfall-induced landslides in steep soil slopes of volcanic origin are a major threat to human lives and infrastructure. In the context of constructing early warning systems in regions where extensive data on landslide occurrences and associated rainfall are inexistent, physically-based tools offer the possibility to establish thresholds for measurable field quantities. In this paper, a combined finite element infinite slope model is presented to study the transient hydraulic response of volcanic ash slopes to a series of rainfall events and to estimate seasonal safety factors. Furthermore, analytical considerations of partially saturated infinite slopes are made to define capillary stress thresholds for a landslide early warning system. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.