Eulerian Based Large Deformation Finite Element Modeling of Strain Softening Clay Slopes

Abstract

Large scale landslides in quick and sensitive clays have the tendancy toward retrogressive failure, sometimes with catastrphic consequences, such as in the 2020 Gjerdrum landslide. Modeling retrogressive slope failure using traditional modeling techniques is challenging due to problems arising with large deformation and the strain softening nature of sensitive and quick clays. The coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) finite element (FE) modeling technique addresses many of these shortcomings. A method for implementing the CEL technique for analyzing slope stability in the commercially available software package Abaqus is presented. Results using this technique are compared to recent studies, showing similarities in observed failure mechanisms. Profiles from the Gjerdrum landslide are analyzed. Simulation results of the Gjerdrum landslide show failure patterns recognized in quick and sensitive clay landslides although correlation to post slide investigations is weak.