Numerical Modeling of Kinetic Features and Stability Analysis of Jinpingzi Landslide

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors analyzed the kinetic features and stability of a slow-moving landslide using the particle flow code 3D (PFC3D) software. The authors can provide more information on the advantages and limitations of PFC3D. The authors can add sensitivity tests of the model results to the changes of micro-strength parameters. In addition, when the finite element model of sliding bed and sliding body provides input to PFC3D model, how sensitive the PFC3D model results are to the finite element model output?

Line 24: “suitable for simulate” should be “suitable for simulating”.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear authors,

I have read your manuscript with very interesting. I have noted some minor corrections about the English language and I am attaching them here.

Also, I would like to use newer references relative to the object of the study. The figures must be in more high quality and the diagrams that you have done with excel also must be done in the best quality or please use different software. More specifically Figure 2 must be changed. The map is unclear which you want to describe. The same for figure 4. Figure 11 must be more clear and of the best quality, also please explain more about this figure in the text.

Please describe in more detail the Numerical model of particle flow code 3D and give relative references.

I would like to see more keywords that exactly describe the content of the manuscript.

Finally, I would like to see a paragraph with the results of this study.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Congratulations to the authors and good research.

I recommend making a few small changes to the paper before its approval:

1) It is suggested to add an introductory paragraph in the abstract. The problem that causes this investigation should be added.

2) The references throughout the text must be as requested by the journal style.

3) Research on stability analysis for the Jinpingzi landslide is explained and developed, but it is necessary to highlight why or the importance of this research. Only three times within the article, the Wudongde hydropower station is mentioned, but the importance of this dam is not mentioned. In a few words, it is known about this dam, but its importance needs to be expanded.

4) In Figure 13, yellow and blue arrows are drawn, but what they mean is not indicated. It is explained below (within the text), but the meaning must be included within the figure.

5) The units and results shown in line 356 on the critical speed must be verified; since they do not agree with the average speeds given in lines 32 and 33 to classify slow-moving landslide.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx