Publication

Geomechanical modeling of the Steinernase landslide (Switzerland)

Lyesse Laloui, Alessio Ferrari
2009
Conference paper
Abstract

A geomechanical model was developed to analyse the behaviour of a natural slope located on the bank of the Rhine River between the towns of Stein and Mumpf in Switzerland. The slope is affected by a landslide and three strategic infrastructure assets are located at its toe. An intense monitoring campaign made it possible to identify pore water pressure evolution as the main cause for movement accelerations and to detect the presence of a multiple slip surface system. Advanced coupled finite element hydrogeological and ge-omechanical models have been used to analyse the landslide behaviour. After being calibrated and validated, the model was applied to improve the understanding of the physical processes involved and to predict the slope behaviour under different scenarios.

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Related concepts (6)
Geomechanics
Geomechanics (from the Greek prefix geo- meaning "earth"; and "mechanics") is the study of the mechanical state of the Earth's crust and the processes occurring in it under the influence of natural physical factors. It involves the study of the mechanics of soil and rock. The two main disciplines of geomechanics are soil mechanics and rock mechanics. Former deals with the soil behaviour from a small scale to a landslide scale.
Engineering geology
Engineering geology is the application of geology to engineering study for the purpose of assuring that the geological factors regarding the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works are recognized and accounted for. Engineering geologists provide geological and geotechnical recommendations, analysis, and design associated with human development and various types of structures.
Hydrogeology
Hydrogeology (hydro- meaning water, and -geology meaning the study of the Earth) is the area of geology that deals with the distribution and movement of groundwater in the soil and rocks of the Earth's crust (commonly in aquifers). The terms groundwater hydrology, geohydrology, and hydrogeology are often used interchangeably. Hydrogeology is the study of the laws governing the movement of subterranean water, the mechanical, chemical, and thermal interaction of this water with the porous solid, and the transport of energy, chemical constituents, and particulate matter by flow (Domenico and Schwartz, 1998).
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Related publications (3)

Hydro-Mechanical Modelling of a Natural Slope Affected by a Multiple Slip Surface Failure Mechanism

Lyesse Laloui, Alessio Ferrari

A coupled hydro-mechanical formulation is presented for the analysis of landslide motion during crisis episodes. The mathematical formulation is used to model a natural slope affected by a multiple slip surface failure mechanism, in which pore water pressu ...
Tech Science Press2010

Geomechanical modelling of a natural slope affected by a multiple slip surface failure mechanism

Lyesse Laloui, Alessio Ferrari

This paper presents a geomechanical model that was developed to investigate the behaviour of a natural slope located on the bank of the Rhine between the towns of Stein and Mumpf in Switzerland. The slope, affected by a large landslide, constitutes a relev ...
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR COMPUTATIONAL ENGINEERING (IC 2E)2009

Hydro-mechanical modelling of a natural slope affected by a multiple slip surface failure mechanism

Lyesse Laloui, Alessio Ferrari

A coupled hydro-mechanical formulation is presented for the analysis of landslide motion during crisis episodes. The mathematical formulation is used to model a natural slope affected by a multiple slip surface failure mechanism, in which pore water pressu ...
2009

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