Sliding mechanism and motion prediction of flowslides in crushable soils

Abstract

The statistical relationship between landslide volume and apparent friction coefficient shows that grain-crushing phenomenon takes an important role in causing landslide fluidization. This aspect is verified through a series of undrained triaxial tests on soils with different grain crushing susceptibility in this paper. Then, based on experimental results of ring-shear tests, a model for change in the apparent friction coefficient during landslide motion is proposed. The model has been introduced to Sassa's “landslide motion model” for landslide motion prediction. Case studies conducted on the Sumikawa landslide and the Hiegaeshi landslide show that the improved “landslide motion model” could be an effective tool for landslide disaster prevention especially in the crushable soils.