Landslide Characterization Using Satellite Interferometry (PSI), Geotechnical Investigations and Numerical Modelling: The Case Study of Ricasoli Village (Italy)

Abstract

Ricasoli is a village located in a morphological high in the Upper Arno river Valley (Tuscany), an area historically subject to widespread slope instability phenomena. This morphological high and the surrounding slopes result to be affected by numerous landslides, which cause the retreat of the escarpments surrounding the village, involving infrastructures and buildings. To better understand the behaviour of these phenomena a complete characterization, in terms of kinematics, mechanical properties and triggering conditions, of the landslides has been carried out. With this aim several boreholes, equipped both with inclinometer and piezometers, have been drilled and a number of samples have been collected and analysed. In addition to the traditional analysis, the radar satellite interferometry has been used to evaluate the evolution of the landslides and its correlation with rainfalls; furthermore a finite difference numerical modelling has been carried out to investigate the kinematics of the landslides and the deformation pattern.