Dynamics of rapid landslides

Abstract

Velocity is the most important parameter determining the destructive potential of landslides. Catastrophic velocities of the order of several meters per second are attained only by certain types of landslides. High velocities are the consequence of a range of strength loss mechanisms, reviewed in this chapter. Strength loss can occur instantly during the process of failure, through loss of cohesion, liquefaction of granular material or remoulding of sensitive clay. Further important loss of strength can occur during movement, including rock joint roughness reduction, shearing in clays, sliding surface liquefaction, frictional heating, loss of internal coherence of the sliding body, material entrainment, rapid undrained loading, and entrainment of water. Extremely rapid landslides include rock, debris and earth fall, rock block topple, rock slide, debris slide, flow slide in granular soil or clay, debris avalanche, debris flow and rock avalanche. There is a need to study the post-failure behavior of materials, in order to facilitate predictions of the behavior of extremely rapid landslides for hazard assessment. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.