Coupled hydro-mechanical modelling of soil-vegetation-atmosphere interaction in natural clay slopes
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Pedone, Giuseppe
Tsiampousi, Aikaterini
Cotecchia, Federica
Zdravkovic, Lidija
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Soil-vegetation-atmosphere interaction is long known to induce significant pore pressure variations at shallow depths and associated superficial slope movements. Recent findings suggest that the effect of this interaction may also extend to large depths in natural clay slopes. Multiple examples of weather-induced deep landslide mechanisms can be found in the Southern Apennines (Italy), where slopes are often formed of fissured clays. The relationship between the activity of these landslides and the hydro-mechanical processes due to soil-vegetation-atmosphere interaction was investigated herein by means of a two-dimensional coupled hydro-mechanical finite element analysis. A constitutive model capable of simulating the behaviour of highly overconsolidated clays, in both saturated and unsaturated states, was adopted in the analysis, in conjunction with a boundary condition capable of reproducing the combined effects of rainfall infiltration, evapo-transpiration and run-off. The results of the analysis corroborate the connection between weather conditions, pore pressure variations and slope movements in natural clay slopes. The importance of reproducing adequately the geological history of a natural slope in order to define its current state is also demonstrated.
Date Issued
2022-02-01
Date Acceptance
2021-04-29
Citation
Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 2022, 59 (2), pp.272-290
ISSN
0008-3674
Publisher
NRC Research Press (Canadian Science Publishing)
Start Page
272
End Page
290
Journal / Book Title
Canadian Geotechnical Journal
Volume
59
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
©2021 NRC Research Press (Canadian Science Publishing)
Subjects
Science & Technology
Technology
Physical Sciences
Engineering, Geological
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Engineering
Geology
numerical modelling
finite element analysis
soil-vegetation-atmosphere interaction
natural slopes
landslides
fissured clays
CONSTITUTIVE MODEL
INSTABILITY
PRESSURE
RAINFALL
SURFACE
Geological & Geomatics Engineering
0905 Civil Engineering
0907 Environmental Engineering
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-05-04