Abstract
This paper presents a detailed numerical study of the retrogressive failure of
landslides in sensitive clays. The dynamic modelling of the landslides is carried
out using a novel continuum approach, the particle finite element method,
complemented with an elastoviscoplastic constitutive model. The multiwedge
failure mode in the collapse is captured successfully, and the multiple retrogressive
failures that have been widely observed in landslides in sensitive clays
are reproduced with the failure mechanism, the kinematics, and the deposition
being discussed in detail. Special attention has been paid to the role of the clay
sensitivity on each retrogressive failure as well as on the final retrogression distance
and the final run‐ out distance via parametric studies. Moreover, the
effects of the viscosity of sensitive clays on the failure are also investigated
for different clay sensitivities.
landslides in sensitive clays. The dynamic modelling of the landslides is carried