Distinct Element Simulation of a Landslide Process

Abstract The paper presents a numerical simulation of the development of a catastrophic landslide in a sandstone quarry and methods of reconstructing the quarry to its previous condition from before the landslide. The important objective of the paper is to present the capabilities of the numerical method used in the analysis of the landslide process, namely the Distinct Element Method (DEM). This method is poorly known, though it is capable of solving important geotechnical problems in which massive displacements are modelled. The features of the method are presented on the basis of a case study. Therefore a numerical analysis is carried out to show the performance of DEM in generating a displacement of several dozen meters in the example of a catastrophic landslide that occurred some years ago in a sandstone quarry. This engineering problem makes it possible to describe and analyse the mechanisms, causes and consequences of the landslide.