Research scope
Mechanical modeling of landslides covers the behavior of intact rock (continuum) and rock joint networks (discontinuum). Approaches developed for characterization of jointed rock masses, such as stochastic fracture network models, have been applied to mechanical modeling of landslides in such rocks. Earlier research in this area covered mechanical modeling of rockfalls through analysis of rolling and bouncing rocks. More recent research covers modeling of rainfall induced landslides under a range of subsurface boundary conditions and related interactions between rainfall and groundwater elevation.
Related publications
Li, W., and Einstein, H.H. (2017). Theoretical and numerical investigation of the cavity evolution in gypsum rock. Water Resources Research, 53 (11), 9988–10001. doi:10.1002/2017WR021776
Manzella, I., Einstein, H.H., and Grasselli, G. (2013). DEM and FEM/DEM Modelling of Granular Flows to Investigate Large Debris Avalanche Propagation. In C. Margottini, P. Canuti, K. Sassa (eds.): Landslide Science and Practice, Volume 3: Spatial Analysis and Modelling, 247-253. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2015. ISBN: 978-3642313097 (Print) 978-3642313103 (Online) doi:10.1007/978-3-642-31310-3_33
Einstein, H.H., and Sousa, R.L. (2012). Risk in Slopes. In L. Ribeiro e Sousa, E. Vargas Jr., M.M. Fernandes, R. Azevedo (eds.): Innovative Numerical Modelling in Geomechanics, Chapter 11, 201-210. CRC Press, 2012. ISBN 9780415616614
Manzella, I., Einstein, H.H., and Grasselli, G. (2011). DEM and FEM/DEM Modelling of Granular Flows to Investigate Large Debris Avalanche Propagation. In F. Catani, C. Margottini, A. Trigila & C. Iadanza (eds.): Proceedings of the Second World Landslide Forum: Putting Science to Practice, 3-9 October 2011, Rome, Italy. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction: Geneva. ISBN: 978-8844805159
Kveldsvik, V., Kaynia, A., Nadim, F., Bhasin, R., Nilsen, B., and Einstein, H.H. (2009). Dynamic distinct-element analysis of the 800 m high Åknes rock slope. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 46 (4), 686-698. doi:10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.10.007
Kveldsvik, V., Nilsen, B., Einstein, H.H., and Nadim, F. (2008). Alternative approaches for analyses of a 100,000 m3 rock slide based on Barton–Bandis shear strength criterion. Landslides, 5 (2), 161-176. doi:10.1007/s10346-007-0096-x
Nadim, F., Einstein, H.H., and Roberds, W. (2005). Probabilistic stability analysis for individual slopes in soil and rock. State of the art paper. In O. Hungr, R. Fell, R. Couture & E. Eberhardt (eds): Proceedings of the International Conference on Landslide Risk Management, 31 May – 3 June 2005, Vancouver, Canada, pp. 63-98. Taylor & Francis Group: London. ISBN 978-0415380430 CRC Press: proceedings
Vinard, P., Bobet, A., and Einstein, H.H. (2001). Generation and evolution of hydraulic underpressures at Wellenberg, Switzerland. Journal of Geophysical Research, 106 (B12), 30593-30605. doi:10.1029/2001JB000327
Einstein, H.H., Bobet, A., and Vinard, P. (1997). Study of the underpressures at Wellenberg. Prepared for NAGRA (Nationale Gesellschaft für die Lagerung radioaktiver Abfälle), Switzerland. MIT internal report, 1997.
Low, B.K., and Einstein, H.H. (1992). Simplified reliability analysis for wedge mechanisms in rock slopes. In: Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Landslides (D. Bell, ed.), 10-14 February 1992, Christchurch, New Zealand, vol. 1, pp. 499-507. Balkema, Rotterdam, 1992. ISBN 9789054100324
Lee, J.-S., and Einstein, H.H. (1992). Topological slope stability analysis using stochastic fracture geometry model. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Fractured and Jointed Rock Masses (N.G.W. Cook, et al., eds.), 3-5 June 1992, Lake Tahoe, California. Balkema, Rotterdam. ISBN 978-9054105916
Einstein, H.H. (1988). Landslide risk assessment procedure. Keynote lecture. In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on Landslides (C. Bonnard, ed.), 10-15 July 1988, Lausanne, Switzerland, vol. 2, 1075-1090. Balkema, Rotterdam. ISBN 9061918391 (v. 2)
Einstein, H.H., Baecher, G.B., and Veneziano, D. (1982). Risk analysis for rock slopes in open pit mines (in 8 parts): Einstein, H H; Baecher, G B; Veneziano, D. US Bureau of Mines reports OFR 46(1-8)-81, Nov 1979, 1954P. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, 19 (3), 67. doi:10.1016/0148-9062(82)91320-1
Chan, H.C., and Einstein, H.H. (1981). Approach to complete limit equilibrium analysis for rock wedges — the method of “artificial supports”. Rock Mechanics, 14 (2), 59-86. doi:10.1007/BF01239856
Einstein, H.H., Baecher, G.B., Veneziano, D., et al. (1980). Risk Analysis for Rock Slopes in Open Pit Mines. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering. MIT reports prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Six volumes, MIT series R80-18-R80-23. Executive summary. Part 1 – Distributions of rock mass properties. Part 2 – Limit equilibrium analysis for rock wedge stability. Part 3 – Reliability analysis of rock slope stability. Part 4 – Field exploration to determine rock mass properties. Part 5 – Probabilistic models of jointed rock mass deformation and their implications. Appendices A through M – Detailed geologic data underlying developments. MIT Libraries: 000660195
Glynn, E.F., and Einstein, H.H. (1979). Probability of kinematic instability in rock slopes – a numerical approach. In: Proceedings of the 20th U.S. Symposium on Rock Mechanics (USRMS), 4-6 June, Austin, Texas. ARMA-79-0317
Baecher, G.B., and Einstein, H. H. (1979). Slope Reliability Models in Pit Optimization. In: Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Mineral Industry, American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, New York, NY, pp. 501-512.
Einstein, H.H., Baecher, G.B., Glynn, E., Dershowitz, W.S., Lanney, N., and Maloney, G. (1978). Risk Analysis for Rock Slopes in Open Pit Mines: Annual Technical Report. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering. MIT report no. R78-7, Volumes I and II, 1978. Prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Mines under Contract no. J0275015. MIT Libraries: 000369020
Campbell, D.S., Christian, J.T., and Einstein, H.H. (1976). Computerized analysis of rock slope stability. In: Proceedings of a specialty conference on Rock Engineering for Foundations and Slopes, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, August 15-18, 1976. ASCE library