In order to mitigate hazards of mass failure, the first step is the identification of potentially unstable slopes, resulting in a landslide susceptibility map. Satellite imagery is an important component in the derivation of critical parameters. Susceptibility maps can be constructed in a variety of ways, including multivariate statistics, heuristic models, and geotechnical models. Each method ...

A systematic method is presented for evaluating the slope safety utilizing multi-source monitoring information. First, a Bayesian network with continuously distributed variables for a slope involving the factor of safety, multiple monitoring indexes and their influencing parameters (e.g. friction angle and cohesion) is constructed. Then the prior probabilities for the Bayesian network are quant...

There is a huge variety in biological surfaces covered with micro- and nanostructures oriented at some angle to the supporting surface. Such structures, for example snake skin, burr-covered plant leaves, cleaning devices and many others cause mechanical anisotropy due to different friction or/and mechanical interlocking during sliding in contact with another surface in different directions. Suc...

We study the cusp/core problem using a secondary infall model (SIM) that takes into account the effect of ordered and random angular momentum, dynamical friction and baryons adiabatic contraction. The model is applied to structures on galactic scales (normal and dwarfs spiral galaxies) and on clusters of galaxies scales. Our analysis suggest that angular momentum and dynamical friction are able...

Accelerating displacements preceding some catastrophic landslides has been found empirically to follow a time-to-failure power law, corresponding to a finite-time singularity of the velocity v ∼ 1/(tc − t) [Voight, 1988]. Here, we provide a physical basis for this phenomenological law based on a slider-block model using a state and velocity dependent friction law established in the laboratory a...

Observations from 145 submersible dives are used to create a database of mid-ocean ridge scarp topography and lithology. Seafloor lithologies are classified into extrusives, basaltic talus, dykes, gabbros and serpentinites, and the dive locations are broadly classified according to whether they are close to transform valleys and as a function of ridge spreading rate. The database is used to det...

Given the concept of reliability-based design (RBD) and the growing risk management trend in geotechnical engineering, proper understanding and quantification of uncertainties are very important. The complexity of methods and a large volume of calculations of probabilistic design methods are the most critical reasons for civil engineers not to be comfortable using these approaches. In this rese...

The sinking of dense water down a steep continental slope is studied using laboratory experiments, theoretical analysis and numerical simulation. The experiments were made in a rotating tank containing a solid cone mounted on the tank floor and originally filled with water of constant density. A bottom gravity current was produced by injecting more dense coloured water at the top of the cone. T...

While its classical model is relatively simple, friction actually depends on both the interface properties of interacting surfaces and on the dynamics of the system containing them. At a microscopic level, the true contact area changes as the surfaces move relative to each other. Thus at a macroscopic level, total friction and normal forces are time-dependent phenomena. This paper introduces a ...

In this paper, dynamic simulation and analysis for designing the soft landing of a lunar lander is focused. The primary objective of the lunar lander is to land safely on the surface of moon, without causing the lunar lander to topple and must attenuate the landing loads to preclude damage to the lander structure. The dynamic structural model of lunar lander is modelled and simulation described...