ISSN: 1945-7545
CODEN: GTJODJ
Published Online: 23 January 2009
Page Count: 11

An Instrumented Flume to Investigate the Mechanics of Rainfall-Induced Landslides in Unsaturated Granular Soils

Olivares, Lucio
Second University of Naples, Aversa (CE)

Damiano, Emilia
Second University of Naples, Aversa (CE)

Greco, Roberto
Second University of Naples, Aversa (CE)

Zeni, Luigi
Second University of Naples, Aversa (CE)

Picarelli, Luciano
Second University of Naples, Aversa (CE)

Minardo, Aldo
Second University of Naples, Aversa (CE)

Guida, Andrea
Second University of Naples, Aversa (CE)

Bernini, Romeo
IREA-CNR, Naples,

(Received 25 July 2007; accepted 26 November 2008)

Abstract

The mechanics of rainfall-induced flowslides in pyroclastic soils have yet to be completely clarified. The complexity of phenomena (rainfall-induced failure in initially unsaturated granular deposits, post-failure transition to flow-like landslide) requires the use of a well-equipped small-scale flume. To this aim, flume experiments at the Second University of Naples were performed to analyze the fundamental aspects of such phenomena. A new experimental program is now being carried out to assess the performance of a time domain reflectometry device and optical fibers as indicators of impending failure. The paper describes the instrumented flume and the procedures adopted for monitoring the major aspects of slope behavior. Our first experimental results are very promising in this respect.

Keywords:
instrumented flume, flowslides, pyroclastic unsaturated soil, TDR device, optical fibers

Paper ID: GTJ101366
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ101366
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