Tropical storm-induced landslide potential using combined field monitoring and numerical modeling

Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
By: , and 

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Abstract

When heavy rainfall, such as that associated with tropical storms, falls on steep hillsides, shallow landslides are often one of the damaging consequences. To assess landslide potential from heavy rainfall, a strategy of combined numerical simulation and field monitoring of variably saturated hillslope conditions is developed. To test the combined method, hillslope hydrologic data from paired field monitoring sites in western North Carolina are examined. The hydrologic data collected from the field monitoring site where no shallow landslide has occurred is used to identify and calibrate the hydromechanical parameters used in a numerical ground water flow model. The identified parameters are then used to simulate landslide potential at the two hillslopes during heavy rainfall associated with hurricanes Frances and Ivan (HFI) that impacted western North Carolina in 2004. Results identify the timing of instability at the shallow landslide site and show that the stable site remains stable during rainfall associated with the HFI tropical storms. Thus, the results demonstrate the effectiveness of combined numerical modeling and field monitoring to evaluate landslide potential under variably saturated conditions.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Tropical storm-induced landslide potential using combined field monitoring and numerical modeling
Series title Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
DOI 10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0001969
Volume 144
Issue 11
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher American Society of Civil Engineering
Contributing office(s) Office of the AD Hazards
Description Article 05018002; 12 p.
First page 1
Last page 12
Country United States
State North Carolina
Other Geospatial Mooney Gap
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