Simulating earthquake-induced slope failures using a solid-fluid coupling model based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics framework

Abstract

Various numerical analysis methods have been developed to simulate earthquake-induced slope failures. Simulations of earthquake-induced slope failures require capabilities to reproduce some factors, including the trigger level of an input ground motion and a travel distance of debris. For reproducing a trigger level of an input motion, the finite element method based on solid mechanics has been used. For reproducing a travel distance of debris, simulation methods based on the fluid dynamics have been applied. This study presents a new approach to simulate an earthquake-induced slope failure, coupling the solid mechanics and the fluid dynamics, based on the framework of the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). The presented approach allows us to simulate an earthquake-induced slope failure from its triggering stage to its accumulation stage. The presented approach demonstrated its capabilities to reproduce the trigger level of ground motion and a travel distance of debris through several simulation cases. The paper concluded that the presented approach could be a promising method to simulate earthquake-induced slope failures.