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A Geotechnical Study on Landslides: Challenges and Progresses
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A Geotechnical Study on Landslides: Challenges and Progresses

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Earth Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2026 | Viewed by 5487

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Haijia Wen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
Interests: engineering risk; natural disasters; machine learning; multihazard-oriented resilience assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhongqiang Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Ullevaal Stadion, P.O. Box 3930, NO-0806 Oslo, Norway
Interests: offshore foundations; offshore wind; machine learning; reliability-based design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue invites multidisciplinary contributions addressing the current challenges and breakthroughs within landslide-related geotechnical research. The scope emphasizes the resilience of critical infrastructure impacted by landslides, particularly in mountainous regions. Contributions focusing on the influence of landslides on civil and architectural engineering, water conservancy systems, and transportation networks such as roads and railways are especially welcome. In addition, the issue encourages innovative technical methods for landslide remediation. New approaches including advanced numerical modeling, data-driven risk assessment, machine learning techniques, and cutting-edge remote sensing and field monitoring technologies are sought to improve early warning systems and guide effective mitigation strategies. Research addressing the design and performance evaluation of remedial measures, as well as case studies that integrate laboratory experiments and field investigations, will provide valuable insights for policy-making and urban planning. Ultimately, the Special Issue aims to translate scientific advancements into practical solutions that enhance infrastructure durability, ensure safety, and foster sustainable development in landslide-prone areas.

Prof. Dr. Haijia Wen
Dr. Zhongqiang Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • landslides
  • infrastructure resilience
  • civil engineering
  • water conservancy engineering
  • road and railway engineering
  • landslide remediation
  • numerical modeling
  • remote sensing
  • risk management
  • disaster mitigation

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 12003 KB  
Article
Spatial Distribution Patterns of Earthquake-Induced Landslides in the Loess Region of Tongwei County, Gansu Province
by Xiaoxia Xu, Wujian Yan, Ruixin Xiao, Xiaofeng Liu and Jie Hao
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3575; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073575 - 6 Apr 2026
Viewed by 373
Abstract
This study focuses on the 1718 Tongwei earthquake (magnitude 7.5) and investigates the four counties of Tongwei, Gangu, Wushan, and Qin’an. By combining field surveys of earthquake damage and historical landslide data, we employed statistical analysis models to select ten influencing factors related [...] Read more.
This study focuses on the 1718 Tongwei earthquake (magnitude 7.5) and investigates the four counties of Tongwei, Gangu, Wushan, and Qin’an. By combining field surveys of earthquake damage and historical landslide data, we employed statistical analysis models to select ten influencing factors related to topography, geology, and seismic activity in the study area. We utilized kernel density analysis tools to statistically assess the number, area, and density of landslide points within different ranges of each influencing factor, identifying the most susceptible factor ranges for loess landslides triggered by the earthquake. The spatial distribution of these landslides under varying influences was visualized. Principal component analysis was conducted to explore the dominant factors affecting the spatial distribution of loess landslides, focusing on strongly correlated factors such as elevation, slope, and distance to rivers to further investigate their coupling effects. The results indicate that loess landslides are concentrated at elevations of 1300–1900 m, slopes of 10–20°, with a terrain fluctuation of 0–30 m, distances to rivers of 1200–1600 m, and proximity to active faults of 2–8 km, predominantly in grassland and farmland areas on south-facing slopes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geotechnical Study on Landslides: Challenges and Progresses)
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30 pages, 33454 KB  
Article
Hydrological Response Characteristics and Deformation–Failure Processes of Loess–Mudstone Landslides Under Rainfall Infiltration: Insights from a Physical Model Test and Long-Term SBAS-InSAR Validation
by Zhanxi Wei, Jianjun Zhao, Yi Liang, Zhenglong Zhang, Xiao Zhao, Yun Li and Jianhui Dong
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 1619; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16031619 - 5 Feb 2026
Viewed by 425
Abstract
Frequent extreme rainfall events in northwestern China have made loess–mudstone composite slopes highly susceptible to progressive failure, posing serious threats to infrastructure and public safety. This study investigates the deformation–failure mechanisms and evolutionary characteristics of such slopes under rainfall infiltration by integrating indoor [...] Read more.
Frequent extreme rainfall events in northwestern China have made loess–mudstone composite slopes highly susceptible to progressive failure, posing serious threats to infrastructure and public safety. This study investigates the deformation–failure mechanisms and evolutionary characteristics of such slopes under rainfall infiltration by integrating indoor physical model tests with long-term SBAS-InSAR time-series deformation monitoring. The physical model experiments reveal pronounced hydro-mechanical heterogeneity within the composite slope: surface fissures act as preferential flow paths, the mudstone interface exerts a significant water-blocking effect, and hydrological responses differ markedly between shallow and deep layers. The wetting front exhibits a distinct dual-layer migration pattern, characterized by rapid lateral expansion in the shallow layer and delayed advancement in the deep layer. Rainfall infiltration induces a progressive failure process, evolving from toe infiltration softening and mid-slope local erosion to differential crest erosion and ultimately overall sliding, forming a typical failure pattern of frontal creeping, central shearing, and rear tensile deformation. SBAS-InSAR results indicate that the natural landslide experienced a similar long-term progressive evolution, developing from shallow, localized deformation to deep-seated and slope-wide acceleration under multi-year rainfall. Despite differences in spatial deformation patterns influenced by natural microtopography, the failure stages and dominant deformation zones identified by both approaches show strong consistency. The combined results demonstrate that rainfall-induced suction decay, interface softening, pore water pressure accumulation, and stress redistribution jointly control the progressive instability of loess–mudstone slopes. This study highlights the effectiveness of integrating physical modeling and InSAR monitoring for elucidating rainfall-induced landslide mechanisms and provides scientific insights for hazard assessment and mitigation in composite-structure slopes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geotechnical Study on Landslides: Challenges and Progresses)
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16 pages, 6525 KB  
Article
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Influence of Forest Spatial Structure on Rockfall Protection Efficacy
by Haiyang Liu, Chunling Liu, Jian Zhou, Juanjuan Sun, Kuiyu Shao, Zhaocheng Guo and Xueliang Wang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(23), 12829; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312829 - 4 Dec 2025
Viewed by 439
Abstract
With the growing emphasis on bio-engineering techniques, the sustainable advantages of using trees as barriers against rockfalls have become increasingly evident. The key mechanism for forest protection against rockfalls is the dissipation of block kinetic energy during impacts. However, previous studies have primarily [...] Read more.
With the growing emphasis on bio-engineering techniques, the sustainable advantages of using trees as barriers against rockfalls have become increasingly evident. The key mechanism for forest protection against rockfalls is the dissipation of block kinetic energy during impacts. However, previous studies have primarily focused on the overall attributes of protection forests, with limited attention to the quantitative relationship between internal spatial structural parameters and protective effectiveness. This study systematically investigated the effects of tree diameter, plant spacing, and arrangement pattern on rockfall energy dissipation through physical experiments. The results indicate that: (1) The energy dissipation capacity of trees increases with tree diameter; however, the rate of increase declines significantly when the relative diameter (the ratio of tree diameter to block size) exceeds 0.4. (2) Rockfall energy dissipation increases with reduced plant spacing, but the resultant gain exhibits a diminishing trend. (3) Under otherwise identical conditions, the rhombus arrangement pattern achieved a significantly higher rockfall energy dissipation rate (82.67%) than the square pattern (49.28%). Based on the experimental findings, an optimized protection scheme was designed for a typical rockfall on the slope of the Lehong Tunnel in Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Three-dimensional numerical simulation validated the designed scheme. The designed protection forests dissipated 89.49% of the kinetic energy from 0.5 m blocks, demonstrating the practical efficacy of the parameters derived from experiments. This study quantifies the influence of internal spatial structure parameters on the protective effectiveness of forests against rockfalls, providing a valuable theoretical basis and practical guidance for the design of ecological prevention measures against rockfall hazards. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geotechnical Study on Landslides: Challenges and Progresses)
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20 pages, 10567 KB  
Article
Kinematic and Dynamic Behavior of a Coastal Colluvial Landslide in a Low-Elevation Forest
by Chia-Cheng Fan, Chung-Jen Yang, Tsung-Hsien Wang and Kuo-Wei Huang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10593; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910593 - 30 Sep 2025
Viewed by 639
Abstract
This study examines the kinematic behavior of a large-scale colluvial landslide in a coastal low-elevation forest, where rainfall, geological formations, and hydrological conditions drive substantial slope displacement. The landslide comprises a colluvial layer overlying mudstone, with downslope movement toward the coastline induced by [...] Read more.
This study examines the kinematic behavior of a large-scale colluvial landslide in a coastal low-elevation forest, where rainfall, geological formations, and hydrological conditions drive substantial slope displacement. The landslide comprises a colluvial layer overlying mudstone, with downslope movement toward the coastline induced by gravitational forces and infiltration. Using GPS surveys, inclinometers, soil moisture sensors, and numerical modeling, the temporal and spatial patterns of displacement were analyzed. Maximum horizontal displacements reach 8.1 cm/year, with deep-seated movements extending over 25 m into the mudstone. Key mechanisms include weakening of the colluvium–mudstone interface and creep within saturated mudstone, while a hydraulic barrier near the coastline restricts subsurface flow. Progressive upslope migration of the freshwater-bearing mudstone zone under annual rainfall further contributes to long-term deformation. These findings provide critical insights into the hydrologically controlled kinematics of coastal colluvial landslides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geotechnical Study on Landslides: Challenges and Progresses)
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13 pages, 5611 KB  
Article
Study of the Deformation and Instability Characteristics and Treatment of Gentle Tilt-Creeping Open-Pit Mine Slopes Containing Weak Interlayers
by Xiaojie Wang, Guihe Wang, Meimei Wang and Hanxun Wang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 9960; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15189960 - 11 Sep 2025
Viewed by 971
Abstract
The creep failure of open-pit mine slopes with weak interlayers is one of the main types of slope instability in open-pit mines. The scientific and reasonable treatment of this type of landslide is of great significance for improving the quality of open-pit mining. [...] Read more.
The creep failure of open-pit mine slopes with weak interlayers is one of the main types of slope instability in open-pit mines. The scientific and reasonable treatment of this type of landslide is of great significance for improving the quality of open-pit mining. In this study, we study a gently inclined and creep-type slope with weak interlayers in an open-pit mine in Inner Mongolia, China, and conduct systematic on-site engineering geological investigations, laboratory tests, and numerical simulations. The particle swarm optimization algorithm is introduced, and the creep model combining Burgers and Mohr–Coulomb is selected. Combined with triaxial compression creep test data, the creep model parameters of the weak interlayer soil are intelligently inverted. A typical profile is selected to analyze the stability of the slope. The results show that the creep of the weak interlayer is the main controlling factor for the deformation and failure of the slope. Under natural conditions, a clear continuous plastic zone appears at the front edge of the weak interlayer and the rear edge of the sliding body, resulting in slope instability and large deformation. Our results are in good agreement with the reality of engineering. Furthermore, we study the effectiveness of the local reinforcement treatment method for the weak interlayer. This study shows that local reinforcement of the weak interlayer is one of the most economical and effective means of preventing and controlling landslides. After reinforcement, the plastic zone of the slope only appears near the rear edge of the sliding body and the reinforced rock mass, with a poor connection, and the stability of the slope is good. Our results provide effective technical support for the treatment of this slope and offer a reference for the disaster prevention and mitigation of gently inclined and creep-type open-pit mine slopes with weak interlayers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geotechnical Study on Landslides: Challenges and Progresses)
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16 pages, 6166 KB  
Article
Progressive Landslide Prediction Using an Inverse Velocity Method with Multiple Monitoring Points of Synthetic Aperture Radar
by Yi Ren, Yihai Zhang, Zhengxing Yu, Mengxiang Ma, Shanshan Hou and Haitao Ma
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(13), 7449; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15137449 - 2 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1799
Abstract
Accurate landslide time prediction holds critical significance for ensuring safety and efficient production in open-pit mining operations. While the inverse velocity method serves as a prevalent data-driven forecasting approach, conventional single-point monitoring implementations frequently yield substantial deviations. This study proposes a multi-point collaborative [...] Read more.
Accurate landslide time prediction holds critical significance for ensuring safety and efficient production in open-pit mining operations. While the inverse velocity method serves as a prevalent data-driven forecasting approach, conventional single-point monitoring implementations frequently yield substantial deviations. This study proposes a multi-point collaborative inverse velocity landslide time prediction methodology using nonlinear least squares, which is based on slope radar multi-point group displacement monitoring data. Systematic stability evaluations were conducted for both single-point predictions and multi-point ensemble forecasts. Experimental results demonstrate that single-point-based predictions generally confine errors within 5 h, including the case of traditional smoothing treatments of velocity curves. The developed multi-point collaborative methodology achieves prediction errors below 1 h, with temporal forecast position variations and spatial point quantity adjustments inducing marginal error fluctuations under 2 h based on strict data exclusion. Enhanced data volume implementation significantly improves prediction accuracy and stability. These findings will provide substantive technical references and methodological guidance for advancing landslide temporal prediction research in open-pit mining engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Geotechnical Study on Landslides: Challenges and Progresses)
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