A modified finite difference model for the modeling of flowslides

In this paper, a modified finite difference model is proposed to simulate the propagation of flowslides. Modifications of the new model are conducted by calculating the lateral pressure coefficient k in the sliding mass and the entrainment and centrifugal effect during the transport process. The strength parameters are modified based on the size of the entrainment to consider the change in the landslide strength due to material mixing. Two dam break problems are simulated to test the accuracy and stability of the numerical scheme, and the results show good agreement with the analytical solutions and the measured data. Then, the model is used to analyze a typical flowslide: the Dagou landslide in Gansu Province, China. The model can accurately predict the details of the motion of the landslide, especially behaviors such as turning along the meandering gully and thrusting on the gully slopes due to centrifugal force.