Soil characteristics of long-traveling landslides and a hybrid model to predict travel distance

Abstract

When landslides liquefy and sediment movement takes on characteristics of a debris flow, travel distance increases, expanding the range of potential damage. Clarifying the liquefaction mechanism for such phenomena and predicting travel distance are important for evaluating hard and soft measures for controlling landslide damage. The authors have compiled data on landslide travel distance in Japan, used the travel coefficient (Tr) to classify movement of landslide soil masses, and investigated the relationship between landslide movement and soil characteristics with the goal of clarifying the liquefaction mechanism. These results were used to analyze the soil characteristics of long-traveling landslides. The hybrid model developed by Satofuka (2004) was used as a liquefaction model and sensitivity analysis was conducted for the model parameters. Model validity was evaluated by comparing the simulated and actual sediment flow, deposition, and displacement velocity of a landslide that occurred in Niigata Prefecture in March 2004.