PROJECT TITLE: ANALYSIS OF EARTHQUAKE TRIGGERED CATASTROPHIC LANDSLIDES: APPLICATION TO EL SALVADOR
KEYWORDS: NATURAL HAZARDS, LANDSLIDES, DEBRIS AND MUD FLOWS, AVALANCHES, ACCELEROGAM DATA ANALYSIS, SEISMIC LOADING, MICROZONATION
SUMMARY:
The basic objetive of this project is the development of a rational methodology of analysis which can be applied to assess the hazard of earthquake triggered catastrophic landslides.
The numerical models developed will be validated using available data from El Salvador earthquakes of January and February of 2001.
The information includes field observations of near 1000 landslides and geotechnical properties of soils.
Most of the data were obtained during an spanish mission to El Salvador in which members of this team were involved.
The models will be then applied to assess the risk of earthquake triggered landslides in southeast Spain, in order to identify risk zones.
The main goals of the project are:
(1) Development of numerical and constitutive models of inititation and propagation of landslides.
· Numerical models of the initiation phase
· Constitutive models for dynamic behaviour of soils
· Numerical models of flow and propagation.
· Rheological models for the propagation of catastrophic landslides
(2) Analysis of strong motions triggering landslides..
· Analysis of records and characterization of soil movement.
· Simulation of soil movements in location were data are not available.
· Site effects due to topography and local geology.
· Local amplification phenomena.
(3) Implementation of remote sensing and photogammetric techniques to identify landslides and zonify.
(4) Validation of existing representative landslides using the simulation tools and the seismic actions determined in (2) against field data aided by results of (3)
(5) Protection techniques:
· Protection and improvements of slopes
· Protection works
· Channeling of fast flows
· Alert systems.