Dynamic Model for Monitoring Landslides with Emphasis on Underground Water in Trabzon Province, Northeastern Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study is to form a dynamic deformation model for landslides. Static and kinematic models used in practice in determining movements do not deal with the mechanical characteristics of the object and the deformation mechanism. They may yield misleading results in interpreting movements. In contrast, dynamic deformation models determine movements regarding the mechanical characteristics of the object and the deformation mechanism. In this study, a dynamic model reflecting the effect of the cause of movement for landslides was used for determining movements. For this purpose, the modeling of the effect of heavy rainfall and large underground water level changes in activating landslides was investigated. A test network was established in a slide area in Maçka County in the province of Trabzon in the northeast of Turkey. The coordinates of network points were computed with geodetic measurements. Underground water levels of the network points were determined with geological and geophysical measurements. Using these data, movements were determined with both kinematic and dynamic models. Results of both models were compared to each other. It was concluded that determining movements with the dynamic model was more suitable than using the kinematic model in landslide studies. It was also concluded that, regarding the difficulties in its construction, the dynamic model should be preferred in cases where human life is in serious danger. As another result of this study, it is shown that before interpreting movements of network points, it is necessary to detect slip surfaces on the study area and then perform the interpretation according to these slip surfaces.