Postfailure Mechanics of Landslides: Laboratory Investigation of Flowslides in Pyroclastic Soils

Of all landslides, subaerial flowslides are the most dangerous. According to the literature, flowslides in saturated granular deposits are caused by static liquefaction induced by loss of stability. However, the catastrophic flowslides that occurred on steep slopes in Campania (southern Italy) in 1998, 1999, and 2005 were triggered by rainwater infiltration into shallow deposits of pyroclastic soils, which were initially unsaturated. Starting from the experience collected during the investigations of some of these landslides, the authors consider flowslide evolution as a result of a mechanical chain process characterized by saturation increase due to rainwater infiltration, mechanical degradation, volumetric collapse, and static liquefaction, culminating in complete fluidization of the soil. In the paper this chain process is investigated through wetting tests both in suction controlled triaxial apparatuses and in a well-equipped small scale slope model.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3519342
• Authors:
  • Olivares, Lucio
  • Damiano, Emilia
• Publication Date: 2007-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 51-62
• Serial:
  • Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Volume: 133
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1090-0241
  • Serial URL: http://ojps.aip.org/gto

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Collapse; Debris slides; Degradation (Hydrology); Deposits (Geology); Failure; Failure analysis; Granular soils; Infiltration; Laboratory studies; Landslides; Liquefaction; Mathematical models; Mechanics; Percent saturation; Rainfall; Saturated soils; Shear strength; Slope failure; Slopes; Soil suction; Triaxial shear tests; Wetting and drying tests
• Uncontrolled Terms: Pyroclastic soils
• Geographic Terms: Campania (Italy)
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01042757
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 21 2007 6:49AM