Effects of layering on triggering mechanisms of rainfall-induced landslides in unsaturated pyroclastic granular soils1

Abstract

Rainfall-induced landslides are widespread in shallow layered granular soil deposits. In many cases, slope instability is related to the decrease of suction during rainwater infiltration. However, the contrasts in the unsaturated hydraulic properties of the soils deeply affect the infiltration process, thus influencing slope failure. Coarse-textured soil layers embedded between finer ones may initially confine the process within the overlying finer layers, delaying the infiltration and eventually inducing lateral flow diversion. Nonetheless, depending on the state variables at the beginning of rainfall as well as on rainfall characteristics, the coarser layers may or may not have a positive effect on stability. The results of research based on advanced geotechnical characterization, physical and numerical modeling, and field monitoring have been analyzed to investigate the effects of layering on slope stability.