Citation

Bozzano F, Bretschneider A, Martino S. Landslides 2008; 5(4): 351-366.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10346-008-0127-2

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The study proposes geological evolution models for the cliff slopes of the two Italian towns of Orvieto (Umbria) and Radicofani (Tuscany). The models were validated by the use of a stress-strain numerical modelling, implemented by the finite-difference code FLAC 5.0. The numerical modelling was approached in a sequential way, by assuming specific stiffness values related to the evolutionary stages. For this purpose, unconventional laboratory tests were performed aiming at reproducing the stress path related to the geological evolution model, using standard equipment for CID triaxial testing. The geological evolution models infer that deformation in both cases is driven by stress reduction. At the Orvieto plateau, stress reduction is induced by stress relief involving a tuff plate; in the case of Radicofani, stress reduction is due to stress release in consequence of lateral erosion of clay. Numerical simulations refine the lithotechnical zoning of the two investigated slopes, introducing a stress-strain criterion in addition to the conventional geological and geomechanical ones.