Controlling parameters for rainfall-induced landslides

Slope instability due to rainfall is a common geotechnical problem in tropi cal and subtropical areas. The numerical analysis of this problem requires the definition of various hydrological characteristics of the soil in addit ion to the climatic information. This work attempts to identify the influen ce of some of those parameters on the stability of an unsaturated soil slop e during rainfall. The results of the analysis show that the ratio between the saturated coefficient of permeability with respect to water and the rai nfall patterns can significantly influence the seepage pattern within an un saturated soil slope. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.