Landslide fluidization process by flume experiments

An almost real-size slope model was used to study the generation process of landslide fluidization during torrential rain. Experiments were conducted by filling an inclined flume with loose sand and spraying water over the flume with a rainfall simulator to induce the sand to collapse. Both the movement, volumetric strain and the pore water pressure of the sand were monitored throughout the experiments, from the start of spraying to the cessation of the landslide. Our experiments showed the following. ndslide fluidization caused by undrained sudden loading undergoes three stages: compaction of the sand layer by the sliding mass from upper slope, generation of excess pore water pressure in saturated zone, and induction of fast shearing. uidization at the collapse source area also undergoes three stages: destruction and compaction of sand layer skeleton by outbreak of shearing, increase of pore water pressure in saturated zone, and shift to fast shearing. But these three stages take place almost simultaneously.