Dynamic modelling of retrogressive landslides with emphasis on the role of clay sensitivity

This paper presents a detailed numerical study of the retrogressive failure of landslides in sensitive clays. The dynamic modelling of the landslides is carried out using a novel continuum approach, the particle finite element method, complemented with an elastoviscoplastic constitutive model. The multiwedge failure mode in the collapse is captured successfully, and the multiple retrogressive failures that have been widely observed in landslides in sensitive clays are reproduced with the failure mechanism, the kinematics, and the deposition being discussed in detail. Special attention has been paid to the role of the clay sensitivity on each retrogressive failure as well as on the final retrogression distance and the final run‐out distance via parametric studies. Moreover, the effects of the viscosity of sensitive clays on the failure are also investigated for different clay sensitivities.     

Numerical simulation of undrained insertion problems in geotechnical engineering with the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM)

The paper presents total-stress numerical analyses of large-displacement soil-structure interaction problems in geomechanics using the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM). This method is characterized by frequent remeshing and the use of low order finite elements to evaluate the solution. Several important features of the method are: (i) a mixed formulation (displacement-mean pressure) stabilized numerically to alleviate the volumetric locking effects that are characteristic of low order elements when the medium is incompressible, (ii) a penalty method to prescribe the contact constraints between a rigid body and a deformable media combined with an implicit scheme to solve the tangential contact constraint, (iii) an explicit algorithm with adaptive substepping and correction of the yield surface drift to integrate the finite-strain multiplicative elasto-plastic constitutive relationship, and (iv) the mapping schemes to transfer information between successive discretizations. The performance of the method is demonstrated by several numerical examples, of increasing complexity, ranging from the insertion of a rigid strip footing to a rough cone penetration test. It is shown that the proposed method requires fewer computational resources than other numerical approaches addressing the same type of problems.     

A basal slip model for Lagrangian finite element simulations of 3D landslides

A Lagrangian numerical approach for the simulation of rapid landslide runouts is presented and discussed. The simulation approach is based on the so‐called Particle Finite Element Method. The moving soil mass is assumed to obey a rigid‐viscoplastic, non‐dilatant Drucker–Prager constitutive law, which is cast in the form of a regularized, pressure‐sensitive Bingham model. Unlike in classical formulations of computational fluid mechanics, where no‐slip boundary conditions are assumed, basal slip boundary conditions are introduced to account for the specific nature of the landslide‐basal surface interface. The basal slip conditions are formulated in the form of modified Navier boundary conditions, with a pressure‐sensitive threshold. A special mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian formulation is used for the elements on the basal interface to accommodate the new slip conditions into the Particle Finite Element Method framework. To avoid inconsistencies in the presence of complex shapes of the basal surface, the no‐flux condition through the basal surface is relaxed using a penalty approach. The proposed model is validated by simulating both laboratory tests and a real large‐scale problem, and the critical role of the basal slip is elucidated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the rheological characterisation of liquefied sands through the dam-breaking test

This paper concerns the rheological characterisation of liquefied sands as non-Newtonian Bingham fluids. For this purpose, dam-breaking laboratory tests are often executed and interpreted, offering a viable option to identify the properties of fluidised water-soil mixtures. However, limited attention has been devoted so far to clarify what variables and measurements would allow unambiguous calibration of Bingham parameters, namely, the viscosity η and the yield stress τ_y. The numerical results of parametric studies based on the particle finite element method (PFEM) are critically inspected to gain deeper insight into the problem. First, it is confirmed that multiple η − τ_y pairs may reproduce the same experimental evidence when formed by only one measurement—usually, the post–dam-breaking displacement of the bottom toe (tip) of the liquefied mass. Then, two alternative procedures are proposed for unambiguous identification of both η and τ_y: one is based on monitoring the evolving aspect ratio of the fluid mass during free, gravity-driven flow; the other relies on a slightly different dam-breaking test, also including impact against a rigid obstacle. In particular, the latter approach reduces the relevant duration of the test, reducing the possible influence of reconsolidation effects on the calibration of rheological parameters.     

Particle finite element analysis of large deformation and granular flow problems

A version of the Particle Finite Element Method applicable to geomechanics applications is presented. A simple rigid-plastic material model is adopted and the governing equations are cast in terms of a variational principle which facilitates a straightforward solution via mathematical programming techniques. In addition, frictional contact between rigid and deformable solids is accounted for using an approach previously developed for discrete element simulations. The capabilities of the scheme is demonstrated on a range of quasi-static and dynamic problems involving very large deformations.