Parameters controlling large landslide propagation

Abstract

Landslides are an ever-present natural hazard and understanding factors such as propagation are vital for the management of such events. This natural hazard has increased in frequency in recent history which further highlights the importance of the research. This study aims to determine which parameters contribute to large rock avalanche propagation using an experimental approach within a laboratory environment. The experiment was designed to simulate a granular flow event using equipment formed of an inclined slope and a flat horizontal plane with a confined zone. A range of material flow combinations and two different slope inclinations were used throughout. The experiment enabled the collection of data such as runout distance; maximum height and length of a flow deposit and further calculated data including the Fahrboschung angle and the velocity of different flows in order to determine the relationship between the runout and a host of parameters. By conducting this investigation, it was determined that certain parameters such as angle of slope inclination and bidisperse material all heavily contributed to a further runout of a flow. It was also concluded that having a material combination of 15% fine material and 85% coarser material provided the furthest runout distance of all the material combinations.