Backward automatic calibration for three-dimensional landslide models

Back-analysis is broadly used for approaching geotechnical problems when monitoring data are available and information about the soils properties is of poor quality.For landslide stability assessment back-analysis calibration is usually carried out by time consuming trial-and-error procedure.This paper presents a new automatic Decision Support System that supports the selection of the soil parameters for three-dimensional models of landslides based on monitoring data.The method considering a pool of possible solutions,generated through permutation of soil parameters,selects the best ten configurations that are more congruent with the measured displacements.This reduces the operator biases while on the other hand allows the operator to control each step of the computation.The final selection of the preferred solution among the ten best-fitting solutions is carried out by an operator.The operator control is necessary as he may include in the final decision process all the qualitative elements that cannot be included in a qualitative analysis but nevertheless characterize a landslide dynamic as a whole epistemological subject,for example on the base of geomorphological evidence.A landslide located in Northeast Italy has been selected as example for showing the system potentiality.The proposed method is straightforward,scalable and robust and could be useful for researchers and practitioners.     

The role of observations in the inverse analysis of landslide propagation

Model calibration is usually based on trial-and-error procedures that, in turn, rely on expert judgment or previously acquired experiences for similar phenomena. Efficient and reliable procedures for model calibration of the propagation stage of landslides are still needed. This paper addresses this issue by proposing an inverse analysis procedure and applying it to the case history of a short run-out landslide triggered by a rising perched water table after a heavy rainfall. It focuses on the key role played by the field observations used to set up the inverse analysis, and evaluating the reliability of the numerical simulations. It also investigates the effect of different types of optimization parameters on the inverse analysis results, referring to a mixed-phase model or to a two-phase model for the propagating soil. Several sets of observations are used; all of them refer to the soil deposit thickness at the end of propagation, but differ in both location and number of the adopted values. The numerical analysis of the case history is performed through the academic “GeoFlow_SPH” model, and model calibration by inverse analysis is conducted using the “UCODE” software. The results obtained are discussed with the aim to provide practical criteria to identify the minimum amount of information required for a satisfactory model calibration.     

Correction of soil parameters in calculation of embankment settlement using a BP network back-analysis model

Finite element method (FEM) have been widely used for the calculation of settlement of embankment on soft soils in the last decade. However, due to the complexity of construction, spatial inhomogeneity of soils, as well as sensitivity of numerical results to the variation of soil parameters, large discrepancy typically exists between numerical outputs and field observations. This paper presents a novel method, combining FEM and an improved back-propagation (BP) neural network, for correction of soil parameters in numerical prediction of embankment settlement. Duncan–Chang hyperbolic soil model is adopted with the sensitivity of eight constitutive parameters numerically investigated. The soil parameters with large sensitivity are identified, and together with the representative settlements, are used for the training of the improved BP neural network which, once established, generates correction factors of soil parameters for subsequent more accurate FEM forward predictions. It is demonstrated that the proposed numerical back-analysis framework is very efficient in practical engineering applications to calculate highway settlement.     

Back-analysis of soil parameters of the Malutang II concrete face rockfill dam using parallel mutation particle swarm optimization

Deformation control is a central problem in earth-rockfill dam design. The finite element method (FEM) is the primary method used to analyze and predict the deformation of earth-rockfill dams. The parameters of the constitutive model of soil used in earth-rockfill dams determine the FEM analysis results. Using prototype monitoring displacements, the soil parameters of the Malutang II concrete face rockfill dam were back-analyzed using parallel mutation particle swarm optimization. The calculated displacements of the back-analyzed soil parameters are consistent with the prototype monitoring results. The parallel mutation particle swarm optimization has a high optimization rate and can be used in large-scale practical engineering applications. The back-analysis results indicate that the deformation moduli of rockfills in the Malutang II are affected by construction situ.     

Discussion on “Correction of soil parameters in calculation of embankment settlement using a BP network back-analysis model” By Zhi-liang Wang, Yong-chi Li, R.F. Shen [Engineering Geology 91 (2007) 168–177]

The paper studied by Yong-chi Li and R.F. Shen (2007) includes some problems regarding the application of the proposed Neural Network (NN) approach. A very limited number of data has been used as testing set (only 3 among 52 data sets) which should be 20–30% of the database. The NN application in the study is not a function approximation problem where same input must always lead to the same output. NNs cannot be used for such an application. Moreover the generalization capability of the NN model has not been investigated. This discussion, aims to points out controversial points of the paper.     

Settlement analysis of the Shuibuya concrete-face rockfill dam

Settlement is one of the most important deformation characteristics of a high concrete-face rockfill dam (CFRD) and is regarded as a key indicator of dam safety. The time-dependent settlement behavior of the Shuibuya CFRD is studied on the basis of in situ settlement-monitoring records and displacement back-analysis. The goal of this work is to characterize actual deformation of the dam and to verify the back-analysis method used in this paper. The settlement-monitoring records were from seven control stations at the crest and 38 monitoring points inside the body of the dam and covered the construction period, the initial filling of the reservoir and 2 years of operation. A displacement back-analysis for parameters is performed by hybrid generic algorithms (HGAs) and finite element method (FEM). Comparative studies of monitoring data and back-analysis show good agreement between measured settlements and computed settlements. Furthermore, the deformation in the next 3 years is predicted on the basis of back-analysis. Overall, it is demonstrated that the deformation of the Shuibuya CFRD is basically stable and that the technique used to control the dam deformation is successful.     

厦门海底隧道围岩稳定动态反演分析

位移反分析法作为联系理论与实际的桥梁,为工程决策、设计与施工提供了切实可行和有效的方法。为解决海底隧道勘察、设计与施工技术难题,减小设计与施工风险,通过对先行服务隧道建立动态反演预测模型,及时对主隧道前方地质情况进行超前预报,并对围岩稳定性进行准确判断,根据反馈信息,对主洞前方设计与施工方案进行科学合理地组织,必要情况下须对原设计的隧道支护参数与施工方法作调整和修正,做到动态信息化设计与施工,确保海底隧道顺利穿越。     

Causes, mechanism and environmental impacts of instabilities at Himmetoğlu coal mine and possible remedial measures

 Since the commencement of mining at the Himmetoğlu coal mine, northwest Turkey, serious stability problems have led to interruptions in mining and some environmental effects. A geotechnical investigation was initiated in 1997 and the significant factors that influence the stability have been defined. This paper outlines the results of the field and laboratory studies associated with the causes and mechanism of the slope instabilities and their environmental impacts. The possible remedial measures to improve the stability and to minimize the environmental problems are also described. Back-analyses and data from long-term monitoring indicate that the failures occur along two or three planar surfaces by combination of faults and localized strata steepening adjacent to the faults. The stability is sensitive to changes in length of the lower part of the basal sliding surface and shear strength of the bedding surfaces in the overburden. Suitable remedial measures include slope flattening (i.e. staged bench stripping), proper drainage and spreading of a rock blanket on the pit floor to increase spoil pile stability. Received: 18 April 2000 · Accepted: 15 August 2000