Multistate transition and coupled solid–liquid modeling of motion process of long-runout landslide

Abstract

The recognition, repetition and prediction of the post-failure motion process of long-runout landslides are key scientific problems in the prevention and mitigation of geological disasters. In this study, a new numerical method involving LPF3D based on a multialgorithm and multiconstitutive model was proposed to simulate long-runout landslides with high precision and efficiency. The following results were obtained: (a) The motion process of landslides showed a steric effect with mobility, including gradual disintegration and spreading. The sliding mass can be divided into three states (dense, dilute and ultradilute) in the motion process, which can be solved by three dynamic regimes (friction, collision, and inertial); (b) Coupling simulation between the solid grain and liquid phases was achieved, focusing on drag force influences; (c) Different algorithms and constitutive models were employed in phase-state simulations. The volume fraction is an important indicator to distinguish different state types and solid‒liquid ratios. The flume experimental results were favorably validated against long-runout landslide case data; and (d) In this method, matched dynamic numerical modeling was developed to better capture the realistic motion process of long-runout landslides, and the advantages of continuum media and discrete media were combined to improve the computational accuracy and efficiency. This new method can reflect the realistic physical and mechanical processes in long-runout landslide motion and provide a suitable method for risk assessment and pre-failure prediction.

Keywords

• Long-runout landslide
• Multistate transition
• Mixed solid‒liquid flow
• Post-failure process
• Numerical simulation