Rapid sliding and friction degradation: Lessons from the catastrophic Vajont landslide

摘要

We use the numerical, discrete element, Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) method to study velocity distance evolution of the catastrophic Vajont landslide using a newly implemented friction degradation law based on empirical evidence that peak friction is mobilized in rock discontinuities after displacement distance of approximate to 1% of overriding block length.