Abstract
This study uses two approaches to conceptualize preferential flow with the goal to investigate their influence on hillslope stability. Synthetic three-dimensional hydrogeological models using dual-permeability and discrete-fracture conceptualization were subsequently integrated into slope stability simulations. The slope stability simulations reveal significant differences in slope stability depending on the preferential flow conceptualization applied, despite similar small-scale hydrogeological responses of the system. This can be explained by a local-scale increase of pore-water pressures observed in the scenario with discrete fractures. The study illustrates the critical importance of correctly conceptualizing preferential flow for slope stability simulations. It further demonstrates that the combination of the latest generation of physically based hydrogeological models with slope stability simulations allows for improvement to current modeling approaches through more complex consideration of preferential flow paths.
Résumé
Cette étude utilize deux approches pour concevoir des flux préférentiels dans le but d’étudier leur influence sur la stabilité des pentes. Des modèles hydrogéologiques synthétiques tridimensionnels utilisant une double perméabilité et une conceptualisation à fracture discrète ont ensuite été intégrés dans des simulations de stabilité de pente. Les simulations de stabilité des pentes révèlent des différences significatives dans la stabilité des pentes selon la conceptualisation des écoulements préférentiels appliquée, en dépit des réponses hydrogéologiques similaires du système à petite échelle. Cela s’explique par une augmentation à l’échelle locale des pressions des eaux interstitielles observées dans le scénario avec des fractures discrètes. L’étude illustre l’importance cruciale de conceptualiser correctement le flux préférentiel pour les simulations de stabilité de la pente. Il démontre en outre que la combinaison de la dernière génération de modèles hydrogéologiques physiques avec des simulations de stabilité de pente permet d’améliorer les approches de modélisation actuelles en examinant plus en détail les voies d’écoulement préférentiels.
Resumen
Este estudio utiliza dos enfoques para conceptualizar el flujo preferencial con el objetivo de investigar su influencia en la estabilidad de las laderas. Modelos hidrogeológicos tridimensionales sintéticos que usan conceptualización de la doble permeabilidad y fractura discreta fueron posteriormente integrados en simulaciones de estabilidad de las pendientes. Las simulaciones de estabilidad de pendientes revelan diferencias significativas en la estabilidad de pendiente dependiendo de la conceptualización del flujo preferencial aplicada, a pesar de respuestas hidrogeológicas similares a pequeña escala en el sistema. Esto puede explicarse por un aumento a escala local de las presiones observadas en los poros de agua en el escenario con fracturas discretas. El estudio ilustra la importancia crítica de la correcta conceptualización del flujo preferencial para las simulaciones de estabilidad de pendientes. Demuestra además que la combinación de la última generación de modelos hidrogeológicos de base física con simulaciones de estabilidad de pendientes permite mejorar los enfoques de modelización actuales a través de una consideración más compleja de las trayectorias de flujo preferenciales.
摘要
本研究使用两种方法对优先流进行概念化,目的就是调查其对边坡稳定性的影响。随后利用双重透水性和离散断裂概念化的综合三维水文地质模型整合到边坡稳定性模拟中。边坡稳定性模拟揭示了边坡稳定性的重要差别,取决于所用的优先流概念化,尽管系统有类似的小尺度的水文地质响应。这可通过在离散断裂情况下观测到的孔隙水压力局部尺度的增加得到解释。研究描述了正确概念化边坡稳定性评价中优先流的重要性。并且进一步说明,边坡稳定性模拟方面最新一代的基于物理学上的水文地质模型结合在一起通过更复杂的考虑优先流通道可以改进摸前的模拟方法。
Resumo
Este estudo utiliza duas abordagens para conceituar o fluxo preferencial com o objetivo de investigar suas influências sobre a estabilidade de encosta. Modelos hidrogeológicos tridimensionais sintéticos que empregam permeabilidade dual e o conceito de fraturas discretas foram posteriormente integrados em simulações de estabilidade de taludes. As simulações de estabilidade de taludes revelam diferenças significativas na estabilidade do talude dependendo da conceptualização aplicada para o fluxo preferencial, apesar de respostas hidrogeológicas em pequena escala similares. Isto pode ser explicado por um aumento local das pressões poro-água observado no cenário com fraturas discretas. O estudo ilustra a importância crítica de uma conceptualização adequada do fluxo preferencial para simulações de estabilidade de taludes. Demonstra ainda que a combinação de modelos hidrogeológicos fisicamente baseados de última geração com simulações de estabilidade de encostas permite melhorias nas abordagens atuais de modelagem através de uma análise mais complexa das trajetórias preferenciais de fluxo.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Sciex NMS.CH program (grant number: 14.006) and German Academic Exchange Service (grant number: 57129429). We would like to thank Tammy Ganster for providing language help and research assistant Fabien Cochand for help with the modeling software.
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Kukemilks, K., Wagner, JF., Saks, T. et al. Conceptualization of preferential flow for hillslope stability assessment. Hydrogeol J 26, 439–450 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-017-1667-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-017-1667-0