Tropical Storm-Induced Landslide Potential Using Combined Field Monitoring and Numerical Modeling
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 144, Issue 11
Abstract
When heavy rainfall, such as that associated with tropical storms, falls on steep hillsides, shallow landslides are often one of the damaging consequences. To assess landslide potential from heavy rainfall, a strategy of combined numerical simulation and field monitoring of variably saturated hillslope conditions is developed. To test the combined method, hillslope hydrologic data from paired field monitoring sites in western North Carolina are examined. The hydrologic data collected from the field monitoring site where no shallow landslide has occurred is used to identify and calibrate the hydromechanical parameters used in a numerical ground water flow model. The identified parameters are then used to simulate landslide potential at the two hillslopes during heavy rainfall associated with hurricanes Frances and Ivan (HFI) that impacted western North Carolina in 2004. Results identify the timing of instability at the shallow landslide site and show that the stable site remains stable during rainfall associated with the HFI tropical storms. Thus, the results demonstrate the effectiveness of combined numerical modeling and field monitoring to evaluate landslide potential under variably saturated conditions.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the US National Science Foundation (Grant No. CMMI 1561764), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant No. NNX12AO19G), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11302243). The first author was also supported by the program for government-funded overseas study of the Chinese Academy of Science.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 144 • Issue 11 • November 2018
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©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 23, 2018
Accepted: May 17, 2018
Published online: Sep 7, 2018
Published in print: Nov 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Feb 7, 2019
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