Finite element analysis of the initiation of landslides with a non-isothermal multiphase model

Finite element analysis of the initiation of landslides due to capillary and water pressure variation is presented in this work. To this aim, a non-isothermal elasto-plastic multiphase material model for soils is used. Soils are modelled as a three-phase deforming porous continuum where heat, water and gas °ow are taken into account. In particular, the gas phase is modelled as an ideal gas composed of dry air and water vapor. Phase changes of water, heat transfer through conduction and convection and latent heat transfer are considered. The macroscopic balance equations are discretized in space and time within the ¯nite element method. The independent variables are the solid displacements, the capillary and the gas pressure and the temperature. The e®ective stress state is limited by Drucker-Prager yield surface for simplicity. Small strains and quasi-static loading conditions are assumed. Numerical simulation of a slope stability experiment is presented assuming plane strain condition during the computations.