Inferring hillslope response under seismic loading and rainfall: A case study from the SE Carpathian, Romania

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vipin Kumar ◽  
Léna Cauchie ◽  
Anne-Sophie Mreyen ◽  
Philippe Cerfontaine ◽  
Mihai Micu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Slope Stability ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Dynamic Condition ◽  
Seismic Loading ◽  
Seismic Stability ◽  
Seismic Load ◽  
Stability Evaluation ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Year 2000

<p>Seismic stability evaluation plays a crucial role in landslide disaster risk reduction. Related modeling also has to consider the potential influences of the rainfall on the hillslopes. This study aims at understanding the relative influence of the seismic loading and extreme cumulative rainfall on a massive active landslide in the seismically active Vrancea-Buzau region of the Romanian Carpathians (45° 30' 23" N, 26° 25' 05" E). This region has been subjected to more than 700 earthquakes (M>4) events with the highest magnitude of 7.2 (M<sub>w</sub>) during the year 1960-2019. Rainfall data of the year 2000-2019 revealed the occurrence of relatively intense rainfall events, especially during the last ten years. The landslide has an aerial dimension of ~9.1 million m². It hosts the small village of Varlaam at the toe along the Bisca River. The slope (with an average gradient of 15-20°) is covered by shrubs and scattered trees near its borders and is relatively barren in the central part. Shales with some intercalated sandstone layers belonging to the Miocene thrust belt constitute the rocks of the slope.   </p><p>A first survey involving the multi-station array and related Horizontal-to-Vertical noise Spectral Ratio (HVSR) measurements was completed in summer 2019. The findings of the HVSR were processed using the inversion process to infer the shear wave velocity distribution with depth and to detect the sliding surface of the landslide. These velocities were further used to estimate the geotechnical properties of the subsurface using the empirical equations. The HVSR based depth profiles and the Unmanned Air Vehicle based topographic information were used to take four 2D slope sections. These sections were considered for 2D discrete element modeling based stability evaluation under static and dynamic condition along with sensitivity analysis. Static simulation was used to determine the Factor of Safety (FS) using the shear strength reduction approach. Ricker wavelet was used as input seismic load in the dynamic simulation. Potential run-out and flow characteristics of the slope material were explored using the Voellmy rheology based RAMMS software. The relationship between rainfall, surface runoff, and soil moisture was also explored to understand the hydrogeological influence on slope stability.</p><p>Though the slope reveals meta-stability (1.0<FS<2.0) condition under static loading, displacement in the soil reaches up to 1.5 m that further increases to 2.8 m under dynamic loading. According to the topographic characteristics of the slope and to the presence of landslide material or intact bedrock near the surface, acceleration along the slope reaches a Peak Ground Acceleration in the range of 0.6 to 1.3g. Eight extreme rainfall events (>50mm/24 hours) during the year 2000-2019 are noted to temporally coincide with enhanced surface runoff and increased soil moisture in the region. Debris flow runout modeling indicated that the slope material may attain a maximum flow height and flow velocity of 13±0.8 m and 5±0.5 m/sec, respectively, along the river channel.</p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>Landslide;<strong> </strong>Earthquake; Slope stability; Runout; SE Carpathian</p>

Assessment of the Critical Tilting Angle of a Coke Drum Vessel Subject to Seismic Loading

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Penso ◽  
Julian J. Bedoya ◽  
Scott Bouse ◽  
Sathish K. Ramamoorthy
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Seismic Loading ◽  
Seismic Stability ◽  
Seismic Load ◽  
Seismic Loads ◽  
Uniform Temperature ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Tilting Angle ◽  
Seismic Accelerations

Assessment of a coke drum for seismic stability is generally a well-documented load case, with ample examples and historical design experience. However, the long-term effects of non-uniform temperature distributions have in many cases led to a phenomenon in coke drums commonly referred to as the “banana effect”. The banana effect leads to out-of-plumb, and local weakening of the shell due to bulging, and creates a more vulnerable structure where the contributions of tilting angle and effective seismic loads vary with each stage of the coking cycle. This paper outlines one practical approach to this challenging problem, along with the derivations and analytical techniques necessary to support the resulting conclusions. The framework developed was able to compare the influences of tilting and seismic accelerations independently, even when acting simultaneously. Using this technique, the analysis was able to efficiently predict a relationship between an expected seismic load and the critical drum tilt angle, with only minor adjustments needed to account for non-linear vertical distribution of the shear force.

scholarly journals Probabilistic seismic slope stability analysis and design

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (12) ◽  
pp. 1979-1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse Burgess ◽  
Gordon A. Fenton ◽  
D.V. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Slope Stability ◽  
Slope Failure ◽  
Limit Equilibrium ◽  
Seismic Stability ◽  
Seismic Load ◽  
Seismic Slope Stability ◽  
Analysis And Design ◽  
Stability Of Slopes ◽  
Random Finite Element Method ◽  
The Face

Deterministic seismic slope stability design charts for cohesive–frictional ([Formula: see text]) soils are traditionally used by geotechnical engineers to include the effects of earthquakes on slopes. These charts identify the critical seismic load event that is sufficient to bring the slope to a state of limit equilibrium, but they do not specify the probability of this event. In this paper, the probabilistic seismic stability of slopes, modeled using a two-dimensional spatially random [Formula: see text] soil, is examined for the first time using the random finite element method (RFEM). Slope stability design aids for seismic loading, which consider spatial variability of the soil, are provided to allow informed geotechnical seismic design decisions in the face of geotechnical uncertainties. The paper also provides estimates of the probability of slope failure without requiring computer simulations. How the design aids may be used is demonstrated with an example of slope remediation cost analysis and risk-based design.

ВОДНЫЙ РЕЖИМ ОРОШАЕМЫХ СОЛОНЦОВЫХ КОМПЛЕКСНЫХ ПОЧВ И ОСОБЕННОСТИ ЕГО РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЯ

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valery Yashin
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Ground Water ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Irrigation Methods ◽  
Salt Flats

Представлены материалы исследований формирования режима влажности и динамики грунтовых вод орошаемых солонцовых комплексных почв при различных способах полива, проведенные в Волгоградском Заволжье. Установлена значительная неравномерность распределения влажности почвы при поливах дождеванием. Отмечается поверхностный сток по микрорельефу до 30% от поливной нормы, что приводит к недостаточности увлажнения корневой зоны на солонцах и переувлажнению почв в понижениях микрорельефа и потере оросительной воды на инфильтрационное питание грунтовых вод.The article presents the materials of research on the formation of the humidity regime and dynamics of ground water of irrigated saline complex soils under various irrigation methods, conducted in the Volgograd Zavolzhye. A significant unevenness in the distribution of soil moisture during irrigation with sprinkling has been established. There is a surface runoff on the microrelief of up to 30% of the irrigation norm, which leads to insufficient moisture of the root zone on the salt flats and waterlogging of the soil in the microrelief depressions and loss of irrigation water for infiltration feed of ground water.

Seismic Stability Evaluation of Folsom Dam and Reservoir Project. Report 7. Upstream Retaining Wall

1988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jr Leeman ◽  
Hynes Harold J. ◽  
Vanadit-Ellis Mary E. ◽  
Tsuchida Wipawi ◽  
Takashi
Keyword(s):  
Retaining Wall ◽  
Seismic Stability ◽  
Stability Evaluation ◽  
Project Report ◽  
Reservoir Project

scholarly journals Soil Moisture Dynamics in Response to Precipitation and Thinning in a Semi-Dry Forest in Northern Mexico

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Argelia E. Rascón-Ramos ◽  
Martín Martínez-Salvador ◽  
Gabriel Sosa-Pérez ◽  
Federico Villarreal-Guerrero ◽  
Alfredo Pinedo-Alvarez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Forest Management ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Rainfall Characteristics ◽  
Northern Mexico ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Moisture Dynamics

Understanding soil moisture behavior in semi-dry forests is essential for evaluating the impact of forest management on water availability. The objective of the study was to analyze soil moisture based in storm observations in three micro-catchments (0.19, 0.20, and 0.27 ha) with similar tree densities, and subject to different thinning intensities in a semi-dry forest in Chihuahua, Mexico. Vegetation, soil characteristics, precipitation, and volumetric water content were measured before thinning (2018), and after 0%, 40%, and 80% thinning for each micro-catchment (2019). Soil moisture was low and relatively similar among the three micro-catchments in 2018 (mean = 8.5%), and only large rainfall events (>30 mm) increased soil moisture significantly (29–52%). After thinning, soil moisture was higher and significantly different among the micro-catchments only during small rainfall events (<10 mm), while a difference was not noted during large events. The difference before–after during small rainfall events was not significant for the control (0% thinning); whereas 40% and 80% thinning increased soil moisture significantly by 40% and 53%, respectively. Knowledge of the response of soil moisture as a result of thinning and rainfall characteristics has important implications, especially for evaluating the impact of forest management on water availability.

scholarly journals Estimating surface runoff and groundwater recharge in an urban catchment using a water balance approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 2411-2428
Author(s):  
Robin K. Weatherl ◽  
Maria J. Henao Salgado ◽  
Maximilian Ramgraber ◽  
Christian Moeck ◽  
Mario Schirmer
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Water Balance ◽  
Groundwater Recharge ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Curve Number ◽  
Hydrograph Separation ◽  
Balance Approach

AbstractLand-use changes often have significant impact on the water cycle, including changing groundwater/surface-water interactions, modifying groundwater recharge zones, and increasing risk of contamination. Surface runoff in particular is significantly impacted by land cover. As surface runoff can act as a carrier for contaminants found at the surface, it is important to characterize runoff dynamics in anthropogenic environments. In this study, the relationship between surface runoff and groundwater recharge in urban areas is explored using a top-down water balance approach. Two empirical models were used to estimate runoff: (1) an updated, advanced method based on curve number, followed by (2) bivariate hydrograph separation. Modifications were added to each method in an attempt to better capture continuous soil-moisture processes and explicitly account for runoff from impervious surfaces. Differences between the resulting runoff estimates shed light on the complexity of the rainfall–runoff relationship, and highlight the importance of understanding soil-moisture dynamics and their control on hydro(geo)logical responses. These results were then used as input in a water balance to calculate groundwater recharge. Two approaches were used to assess the accuracy of these groundwater balance estimates: (1) comparison to calculations of groundwater recharge using the calibrated conceptual HBV Light model, and (2) comparison to groundwater recharge estimates from physically similar catchments in Switzerland that are found in the literature. In all cases, recharge is estimated at approximately 40–45% of annual precipitation. These conditions were found to closely echo those results from Swiss catchments of similar characteristics.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document