2019 Volume 56 Issue Special_Issue Pages 227-239
Nowadays, it has become easy for us to use the spatially distributed rainfall data observed by weather radars. Such high-resolution data allows us to predict groundwater rising in each individual slope due to torrential rain in a short period, using reliable numerical techniques such as finite element analysis of saturated-unsaturated seepage. However, usually a high-spec calculator and a long period of calculation time are required to carry out such rigorous simulations, and it means that such a method cannot satisfy the engineers who are concerned with real-time simulation used for early warning processes. In this study, a simple method for prediction of shallow groundwater rising in natural slopes in time history will be developed based on the parametric studies with the finite element analysis under the assumption of semi-infinite homogeneous slope. By referring the hydraulic head predicted by the proposed method and the observed shear strength of soil material in the slope, it becomes possible to facilitate a real-time evaluation for the degradation of the total factor of safety for slope failure from moment to moment.
