A homogenized sliding-block model for landslide motion analysis

Geophysical mass flows are not only critical surface processes and landscape features on the Earth and other planets, but also rank among the most frequent and hazardous natural disasters on the Earth, posing significant threats to life, property, and the environment. Numerical simulation is one of the most effective methods for understanding the mobility characteristics of geophysical mass flows and assessing the associated risks. In this study, a sliding-block model is proposed, based on mixture theory and continuum mechanics. The model employs a simplified framework that integrates the principles of material characteristic homogenization, mechanical behavior differentiation, and property parameter inheritability. The model’s performance has been validated through comparisons with the analytical solution of a one-dimensional dam-break problem, experimental results from aluminum bar collapse tests, USGS debris flow flume experiments, and a loess flowslide involving entrainment. The findings demonstrate the model’s ability to accurately replicate key aspects, including the accumulation patterns of dry noncohesive grain collapse, the dynamics of saturated debris flows, and the behavior of loess flowslides. Crucial motion characteristics, such as accumulation thickness, runout distance, front position, front arrival time, and the location and depth of erodible material, are effectively captured. Direct comparisons and error analyses reveal that the model performs exceptionally well across all scenarios tested. The homogenized sliding-block model shows strong potential as a robust tool for simulating dynamic processes and assessing landslide risks.