Prediction of landslide run-out distance based on slope stability analysis and center of mass approach

Abstract

Mitigation of landslide hazard requires the knowledge of landslide run-out distance. This paper presents the application of slope stability analysis and center of mass approach to predict the run-out distance of a rotational landslide model with different soil types. The Morgenstern-Price method was used to estimate the potential sliding zone and volume of landslide material. The center of mass approach used a simple Coulomb friction model to determine the run-out distance. Results of the slope stability analysis showed that the soil unit weight can influence the depth of sliding zone, and the volume of unstable material. The slope model of silty sand and gravel would have the largest volume of unstable mass. From the Coulomb friction analysis, this slope model has higher run-out distance and velocity than other slope models. Thus, the run-out distance will be influenced by soil type and the dimension of unstable soil mass.