Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Experiments and analytical method for landslide scarp caused by water-induced weakening of basal sliding zone

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Acta Geotechnica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the location of the landslide scarp surface induced by water weakening of sliding zone soil and to propose an analytical method to calculate the location. Eight laboratory model tests were performed to reproduce such landslide scarp surfaces and to demonstrate a relationship between the location of scarp surface and the weakened sliding zone. Based on this relationship and the Bishop interslice force assumption, an analytical method was proposed to calculate the locations of laboratory-reproduced scarp surfaces. Finally, the analytical method was applied to real landslide scarp surfaces to assess its practical effectiveness. The inclined angles of scarp surfaces observed in the eight tests exhibit a wide range, varying from 63.9° to 80.9°, due to differences in the properties of the weakened sliding zone and the sliding mass. The calculated results for all the laboratory and real scarp surfaces reveal only one valley point at which the local lowest safety factor (SF) reaches its lowest value. This lowest value indicates the critical scarp surface, thus demonstrating that the critical scarp surface is readily found by using the analytical method. The locations of the calculated critical scarp surfaces are broadly consistent with the measured or published locations of laboratory and real scarp surfaces. When applied to real landslide scarp surfaces, the analytical method locates the critical scarp surface by using available scarp outcrop data.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets generated and analyzed during this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  1. Abdollahi M, Vahedifard F, Tracy FT (2023) Post-wildfire stability of unsaturated hillslopes against rainfall-triggered landslides. Earth’s Future. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022ef003213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Abramson LW, Lee TS, Sharma S, Boyce GM (2002) Slope stability and stabilization methods. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  3. Aloi F, Pirone M, Urciuoli G (2019) Numerical investigation of small- and medium-diameter drain wells to stabilise deep landslides. Acta Geotech 14(4):1065–1080. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-018-0688-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Baldermann A, Dietzel M, Reinprecht V (2021) Chemical weathering and progressing alteration as possible controlling factors for creeping landslides. Sci Total Environ 778:146300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146300

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Becker PA, Idelsohn SR (2016) A multiresolution strategy for solving landslides using the particle finite element method. Acta Geotech 11(3):643–657. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-016-0464-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Bishop AW (1955) The use of the slip circle in the stability analysis of slopes. Geotechnique 5(1):7–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Bolla A, Paronuzzi P, Pinto D, Lenaz D, Del Fabbro M (2020) Mineralogical and geotechnical characterization of the clay layers within the basal shear zone of the 1963 Vajont landslide. Geosciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences10090360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Crutchley GJ, Elger J, Kuhlmann J, Mountjoy JJ, Orpin A, Georgiopoulou A, Carey J, Dugan B, Cardona S, Han S et al (2022) Investigating the basal shear zone of the submarine Tuaheni landslide complex, New Zealand: a core-log-seismic integration study. J Geophys Res Solid Earth. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021jb021997

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Cuomo S, Di Perna A, Martinelli M (2021) Modelling the spatio-temporal evolution of a rainfall-induced retrogressive landslide in an unsaturated slope. Eng Geol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2021.106371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Dille A, Dewitte O, Handwerger AL, d’Oreye N, Derauw D, Ganza Bamulezi G, Ilombe Mawe G, Michellier C, Moeyersons J, Monsieurs E et al (2022) Acceleration of a large deep-seated tropical landslide due to urbanization feedbacks. Nat Geosci 15(12):1048–1055. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-022-01073-3

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Duncan JM, Wright SG, Brandon TL (2014) Soil strength and slope stability. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  12. Fiolleau S, Jongmans D, Bièvre G, Chambon G, Lacroix P, Helmstetter A, Wathelet M, Demierre M (2021) Multi-method investigation of mass transfer mechanisms in a retrogressive clayey landslide (Harmalière, French Alps). Landslides 18(6):1981–2000. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-021-01639-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Fletcher R, Powell MJ (1963) A rapidly convergent descent method for minimization. Comput J 6(2):163–168

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  14. Gao L, Pastor M, Li T, Moussavi Tayyebi S, Hernandez A, Liu X, Zheng B (2023) A framework coupled neural networks and SPH depth integrated model for landslide propagation warning. Acta Geotech 18(7):3863–3888. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-022-01774-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Guo CB, Zhang YS, Li X, Ren SS, Yang ZH, Wu RA, Jin JJ (2020) Reactivation of giant Jiangdingya ancient landslide in Zhouqu County, Gansu Province, China. Landslides 17(1):179–190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-019-01266-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Hu ZG, Shan W (2016) Landslide investigations in the northwest section of the lesser Khingan range in China using combined HDR and GPR methods. Bull Eng Geol Environ 75(2):591–603. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-015-0805-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Huang W, Ji J (2023) Upper bound seismic limit analysis of shallow landslides with a new kinematically admissible failure mechanism. Acta Geotech 18(5):2473–2485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-022-01731-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Huang X, Guo F, Deng M, Yi W, Huang H (2020) Understanding the deformation mechanism and threshold reservoir level of the floating weight-reducing landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China. Landslides 17(12):2879–2894. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-020-01435-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Janbu N (1973) Slope stability computations. In: Hirschfield RC, Poros SJ (eds) Embankment dam engineering: Casagrande volume. Wiley, Hoboken, pp 47–86

    Google Scholar 

  20. Jayakody SHS, Uzuoka R, Ueda K, Xu J (2023) Unsaturated slopes behavior under antecedent intermittent rainfall patterns: centrifuge and numerical study. Acta Geotech 18(11):5773–5790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-023-02017-w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Kennedy R, Take WA, Siemens G (2021) Geotechnical centrifuge modelling of retrogressive sensitive clay landslides. Can Geotech J 58(10):1452–1465. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2019-0677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Kohler M, Puzrin AM (2022) Mechanism of co-seismic deformation of the slow-moving la Sorbella landslide in Italy revealed by MPM analysis. J Geophys Res Earth Surf. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022jf006618

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Lacroix P, Araujo G, Hollingsworth J, Taipe E (2019) Self-entrainment motion of a slow-moving landslide inferred from landsat-8 time series. J Geophys Res Earth Surf 124(5):1201–1216. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018jf004920

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  24. Mahmoodzadeh A, Mohammadi M, Ali HFH, Ibrahim HH, Abdulhamid SN, Nejati HR (2022) Prediction of safety factors for slope stability: comparison of machine learning techniques. Nat Hazards 111(2):1771–1799. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-021-05115-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Marotti JC, Gomes GJC, Velloso RQ, Vargas Júnior EA, Nunes RS, Fernandes NF (2023) Exploring extreme rainfall-triggered landslides using 3D unsaturated flow, antecedent moisture and spatially distributed soil depth. Catena. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2023.107241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Miao F, Wu Y, Li L, Tang H, Xiong F (2019) Weakening laws of slip zone soils during wetting–drying cycles based on fractal theory: a case study in the Three Gorges Reservoir (China). Acta Geotech 15(7):1909–1923. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-019-00894-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Mohtarami E, Jafari A, Amini M (2014) Stability analysis of slopes against combined circular-toppling failure. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 67:43–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2013.12.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Mondini AC, Guzzetti F, Melillo M (2023) Deep learning forecast of rainfall-induced shallow landslides. Nat Commun 14(1):2466. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-38135-y

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Morgenstern NR, Price VE (1965) The analysis of the stability of general slip surfaces. Geotechnique 15(1):79–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Paronuzzi P, Bolla A, Pinto D, Lenaz D, Soccal M (2021) The clays involved in the 1963 Vajont landslide: genesis and geomechanical implications. Eng Geol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2021.106376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Pelascini L, Steer P, Mouyen M, Longuevergne L (2022) Finite-hillslope analysis of landslides triggered by excess pore water pressure: the roles of atmospheric pressure and rainfall infiltration during typhoons. Nat Hazard 22(10):3125–3141. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-22-3125-2022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Rao Y, Zhang Z, Yang T, Chen H (2023) A new theoretical model to locate the back scarp in landslides caused by strength reduction in slip zone soil. Comput Geotech. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2023.105410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Rao YK, Chen HL, Yang T, Zhang Z, Wu HG (2023) Positions of rear scarps in retrogressive shallow soil landslide triggered by water weakening. Bull Eng Geol Environ. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03390-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Ren S, Zhang Y, Li J, Liu X, Wu R (2023) A new type of sliding zone soil and its severe effect on the formation of giant landslides in the Jinsha River tectonic suture zone. China Nat Hazards 117(2):1847–1868. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-023-05931-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Spencer E, Tech M, Sc. (1967) A method of analysis of the stability of embankments assuming parallel inter-slice forces. Geotechnique 17(1):11–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Sun G, Cheng S, Jiang W, Zheng H (2016) A global procedure for stability analysis of slopes based on the Morgenstern-Price assumption and its applications. Comput Geotech 80:97–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.06.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Tang HM, Wasowski J, Juang CH (2019) Geohazards in the three Gorges Reservoir Area, China Lessons learned from decades of research. Eng Geol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.105267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Tomas R, Li Z, Lopez-Sanchez JM, Liu P, Singleton A (2016) Using wavelet tools to analyse seasonal variations from InSAR time-series data: a case study of the Huangtupo landslide. Landslides 13(3):437–450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-015-0589-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Wang L, Yin Y, Zhang Z, Huang B, Wei Y, Zhao P, Hu M (2019) Stability analysis of the Xinlu Village landslide (Chongqing, China) and the influence of rainfall. Landslides 16(10):1993–2004. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-019-01240-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Wang S, Idinger G, Wu W (2021) Centrifuge modelling of rainfall-induced slope failure in variably saturated soil. Acta Geotech 16(9):2899–2916. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-021-01169-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Wang YS, Zhao B, Li J (2018) Mechanism of the catastrophic June 2017 landslide at Xinmo Village, Songping River, Sichuan Province, China. Landslides 15(2):333–345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-017-0927-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Weidner L, DePrekel K, Oommen T, Vitton S (2019) Investigating large landslides along a river valley using combined physical, statistical, and hydrologic modeling. Eng Geol. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.105169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Yan GQ, Yin YP, Huang BL, Zhang ZH, Zhu SN (2019) Formation mechanism and characteristics of the Jinjiling landslide in Wushan in the Three Gorges Reservoir region, China. Landslides 16(11):2087–2101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-019-01234-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Yang T, Rao Y, Wu Y, Wang H, Yu Q, Li H, Chen H (2021) Water softening-induced retrogressive landslides: Experiments and theoretical calculations of back scarp inclination. Geomorphology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2021.107800

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Yang W (2019) The spatial distribution and stability evaluation of landslides in loess hilly region——Taking Zhidan County as an example. In: Master’s thesis, Northwest University (In Chinese)

  46. Zhang JR, Tang HM, Wen T, Ma JW, Tan QW, Xia D, Liu X, Zhang YQ (2020) A hybrid landslide displacement prediction method based on CEEMD and DTW-ACO-SVR-cases studied in the three Gorges Reservoir Area. Sensors. https://doi.org/10.3390/s20154287

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  47. Zheng H, Tham LG (2009) Improved Bell’s method for the stability analysis of slopes. Int J Numer Anal Methods Geomech 33(14):1673–1689. https://doi.org/10.1002/nag.794

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Zou Z, Luo T, Tan Q, Yan J, Luo Y, Hu X (2023) Dynamic determination of landslide stability and thrust force considering slip zone evolution. Nat Hazards. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-023-05992-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2020YFD1100701) and Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Plan Project (2021YFS0323 and 2020YFG0123).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, China

    Yunkang Rao, Huailin Chen, Tao Yang & Zhe Zhang

Authors
  1. Yunkang Rao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Huailin Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tao Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zhe Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tao Yang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rao, Y., Chen, H., Yang, T. et al. Experiments and analytical method for landslide scarp caused by water-induced weakening of basal sliding zone. Acta Geotech. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-024-02277-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-024-02277-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation