According to field measurements, the basic character of the particle size distributions obtained from the landslide accumulations is fractal. The collapse of the granular columns with fractal particle size distribution (FPSD) is performed numerically and experimentally to form dry granular flows and the mechanism of how FPSD affects the particle movements is then investigated. Numerical and experimental analyses show that particle flow mobility increases as the fractal dimension increases. Several linear relationships exist between the fractal dimension and flow mobility parameters. By analyzing the kinetics of granular flows, it is found that a large number of small-sized particles will form a boundary layer where the particle shearing and velocities are remarkably increased and will thus have a lubricant effect on the flow mobility. Moreover, the number of particle collisions increases, and small-sized particles are more likely to obtain higher spreading velocities via the greater contribution of particle interactions.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The relevance of the oedometer tests used for the prediction of wetting-induced deformations in embankments is examined. Single and double oedometer tests are carried out. A comparison is made between laboratory tests and geotechnical centrifuge modelling at 100g conducted to examine an inundated embankment made of a sand–clay mixture. A 20 cm high embankment model is built and instrumented. The material is compacted on the ‘dry side' of the optimum Proctor curve at a low compaction rate in order to emphasise settlement phenomena. The inundation simulation is conducted in two successive sequences during centrifuge flight up to a water table of 5 cm. The results prove that the prediction of the dry density after settlement due to inundation is good.