Deposit characteristics of the Jiweishan rapid long-runout landslide based on field investigation and numerical modeling

• Published in: Bulletin of engineering geology and the environment Vol. 78; no. 6; pp. 4383 - 4396
• Main Authors: Ge, Yunfeng, Tang, Huiming, Ez Eldin, M. A. M., Chen, Hongzhi, Zhong, Peng, Zhang, Li, Fang, Ke
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.09.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Coefficient of friction; Computer simulation; Discrete element method; Distance; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Evolution; Field investigations; Foundations; Friction; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Geoengineering; Geological engineering; Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences; Height; Hydraulics; Joints (timber); Landslides; Landslides & mudslides; Mathematical models; Modelling; Nature Conservation; Original Paper; Parameter sensitivity; Parameters; Property damage; Rock masses; Sensitivity analysis; Stratigraphy; Travel; Numerical modeling; Field investigation; Deposit characteristics; Jiweishan rapid long-runout landslide
• ISSN: 1435-9529; 1435-9537
• DOI: 10.1007/s10064-018-1422-3

Rapid long-runout landslides always cause extensive damage to lives and properties, and the deposit characteristics of landslides play an important role in revealing the evolution and transport mechanism. Several intensive fieldworks were conducted at the Jiweishan landslide region in Chongqing, China to investigate the deposit features, including the motion characteristics, retention of stratigraphic sequence, inverse grading, and thickness distribution, which later helped in the calibration and setting of the numerical modeling. Based on the discrete element method (DEM), the effects of simulation parameters (friction coefficient, volume, and fall height) on the maximum travel distance and deposit area of the landslide were assessed, taking account into the joints network developed in rock mass, respectively. Sensitivity analysis was performed according to numerical data, and the calculated relative sensitivity (RS) values suggested that all parameters had an impact on the travel distance of rapid long-runout landslides, and the sensitivity could be listed in the following order of most to least sensitive: volume (RS = 0.83) > fall height (RS = 0.23) > friction coefficient (RS = 0.14).