Laboratory and mathematical modeling of landslides triggered by no factors. Field studies
The ultimate goal of the work is a comprehensive study of the landslide preparing process dynamics. In particular, with laboratory experiments and numerical modeling, we want to evaluate the effects of weak impact or influence (ie, moisture, seismic fluctuations, temperature and other parameters change) on landslides and seismic process probability.
To carry out the assigned tasks was assembled the device where is possible carriyng out stick-slip process modeling experiments on spring-slider model. The system consists of movable and immovable basalt blocks. Is possible acceleration and acoustic emission registration and pulling force value recording. It is also possible imposing the triggering influence on several points of immovable plate.
Also was assembled Burridge-Knopoff experimental equipment. Burridge-Knopoff unit represents a some small plates of basalt, which are connected to each other with springs. These plates can slip on large basalt plate. Each of the small plate is connected with spring to the top platform, which can move with certain speed and pull also small plates. Was made inclined experimental equipment. The device is also possible to conduct experiments on small basalt plates slidings on a immovable basalt plate. It is possible change the tilt angle from 10 ° to 50 °.
Assembled was also inclined equipment for landslide modeling . The tilt angle change on this equipment is in the range from 0 ° to 80 °. On the device is mounted ditch, in which was placed sand or other landslide materials and investigated landslide slip triggering conditions. It turned out that by moderate wetting of materials increases critical slip angle.
Laboratory works was carried out by means of landslides research using acoustic emission. Conducted mathematical and numerical modeling research of stick-slip process. Were also conducted field geophysical researchs on several Georgian landslides, in particular: khoko, gombori and mukhatgverdi landslides. Has been developed a landslide mathematical model and the safety coefficient (FS) calculation methods. Were assessed safety coefficients for some landslides. Were assessed triggering conditions by external periodical forcing and humidity change.
In order to better understand the physical mechanism triggering, a more a more powerful source of triggering is required and experiments are performed under different experimental conditions.
The obtained results fundamentally confirm the prospect of the possibility of controlling the mass movement and seismicity, with the help of a relatively weak artificial (powerful electromagnetic pulse, mechanical vibrations) or natural (earthquakes, heavy rain, thunder, storm, ...) impacts.