"The Rüdlingen landslide experiment"

By: Professor Sarah Marcella Springman OBE, FREng, MA, MPhil, PhD, CEng, FICE, MInstRE, SIA
ETH Zurich
Institute for Geotechnical Engineering
Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
Wolfgang Pauli Strasse 15
8093 Zürich, Switzerland
Tel: +41 44 633 3805
Fax: +41 44 633 1079
Email: sarah.springman@igt.baug.ethz.ch

Abstract

A large scale field experiment was conducted on a steep 38° forested slope with preliminary field monitoring of sensors installed at depths from 15 to 150 cm, including tensiometers, TDRs, piezometers, rain gauges, pressure cells, acoustic sensors and deformation probes, prior to triggering a landslide by means of artificial rainfall. The project was designed to enhance the understanding of triggering processes and initiation mechanisms by replicating the effects of a heavy rainfall event in May 2002, in which 100 mm rain fell in 40 minutes, causing 42 surficial landslides. Geotechnical, and hydrological characterisation was carried out on the overlying colluvial silty sand, with bedrock at depths between 0.5 m and 5 m. Percolation of groundwater into the underlying bedrock was observed from test pits. Remote sensing of displacements was also carried out continually during the field experiments, through a photogrammetric monitoring system. It was deduced that the slope would fail during an extreme rainfall experiment that would lead to saturation of the soil overlying the bedrock. The failure mechanism was more or less as predicted, with vegetation reinforcement playing a role. Triggering occurred earlier than expected in March 2009, incorporating about 150 m3 of debris, which was safely retained in a protection net at the base of the slope.

Curriculum Vitae

1997 ETH Zürich: Professor, Institute for Geotechnical Engineering
1983-1996 Cambridge University
1991-1996 University Lecturer in Soil Mechanics; Fellow, Magdalene College.
1988-1990 Research Fellow, Magdalene College, Research Associate, Engineering Dept.
1985-1989 Research Assistant, Soil Mechanics Group, Engineering Department.
1983-1984 Science & Engineering Research Council Studentship
1975-1983 Sir Alexander Gibb & Partners
1979-1983 Geotechnical Department, Head Office, Reading; Monasavu Hydro-Electric Scheme, Fiji; Adelaide & Canberra offices, Australia.

Scientific Contribution:

• Chair of Technical Committee 2 on Physical Modelling of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (2005-2009), Member since 2001
• Chair of Organising Committee of the 2010 International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics ICPMG 2010, Zürich
• Chair of Organising Committee and Co-editor of Proceedings: 8th International Conference on Permafrost 2003. Zürich, 21-25 July 2003. 300 scientific participants, Proceedings published by Swets and Zeitlinger, Lisse: ICOP 2003, Permafrost. (eds. Marcia Phillips, Sarah M. Springman, Lukas U. Arenson). 2 Volumes. 1322 p.
• Chair of Organising Committee and Editor: International Workshop on: Constitutive and centrifuge modelling: Two Extremes, at Centro Stefano Franscini, Monte Verita, Ascona, Ticino. 8.-13. Juli 01, Swets and Zeitlinger 2002. 379 p. ISBN 90 5809 361 1
• Regional Co-Editor, International Journal of Physical Modelling in Geotechnics since 2000 Editorial Board, Acta Geotechnica (2005-2008)
• Member Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Peer Review College (2006- 2009)
  Regular reviewer (e.g. since 2000) for Géotechnique, Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Permafrost & Periglacial Processes, Computers & Geotechnics, Computers & Structures, ASCE-ASTMGTJ, Acta Geotechnica, Water Resources Research, EPSRC research projects, SNF research projects, SNF Marie Heim Vögtlin Fellowship Committee. (Occasional reviewer: International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, Czech Academy of Sciences)
• Member of the International Organising Committee for 2nd Workshop on Soft Soils, Glasgow, September 2008
• International Advisory Board member, Asian Conference on Permafrost, Lanzhou, China, 07.- 09.08.2006
  Training officer AMGISS Advanced Modelling of Ground Improvement of Soft Soils 6th FW, EU Project with 5 other Universities (2005-2008) (http://www.ce.strath.ac.uk/amgiss/)
• Contributing member of PERMOS (Permafrost Monitoring and Observation in Switzerland) www.permos.ch since 2002
  

Professional activities and memberships

1979 Associate Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers
1983 Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (MICE), Chartered Engineer, Engineering Council (CEng)
1983 Member of the Women’s Engineering Society
1988 Member of the British Geotechnical Society
1990 ICE Student Liaison Officer for Cambridge University
1990 Member of the Institution of Royal Engineers
1993 Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), Life Fellow 2005
1994 Member CIRIA Advisory Panel on ‘Piling in Weak Rocks’
1997 Member Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Boden- und Felsmechanik (SGBF)
1997 Member Swiss Natural Hazards Competence Centre (CENAT)
1999 Member ‘Geodesign’ Commission: Development of the ‘Swisscode’
1999 Member of the Schweizerischer Ingenieur- und Architektenverein (SIA)
2000-2007 Member of Swiss Science and Technology Council (SWTR)
2002 Member of ETH Zurich Natural Hazards Network (HazNETH), Coordinator: 2007- 2009
2005 Expert Adviser: Rhone Correction (remediation) VS; Linth/Escher Canal SG; Quaibrücke ZH
2006-2009 Member of the EPSRC Peer Review College
2006 Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE)
2006-2007 Member of Management Board, Competence Centre for Environmental Sustainability (CCES)
2007 Member of Institution of Royal Engineers (MInstRE)
2008 Member of the Swiss Platform for Natural Hazards (PLANAT)
2009 Fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering

Supervision

• 14 Doctoral degree theses supervised & completed
• 6 Doctoral degree theses co-supervised & completed
• currently supervising 7 Doctoral researchers
• 65 Masters degree theses supervised & completed
• Examined 14 doctoral and sundry masters theses.

Teaching

Extensive teaching experience, including development of multi-threaded Computer Aided Learning program in Geotechnical Engineering (www.calice.igt.ethz.ch), which was selected as one of the eight finalists out of 167 projects for the international medida prix 2002, Basel and has now been extended to a geotechnical platform (http://geotip.igt.ethz.ch).

Research publications

>50 peer reviewed journal papers, >75 peer reviewed conference papers, 4 extensive Journal discussions, >75 keynote lectures/invited lectures/research colloquia & many other presentations, 61 Technical Reports, many other unreviewed contributions including several Popular articles, 2 Software programs (sold through Cambridge University Technical Services), edited 2 Symposium Proceedings/Books. Commitment to designing, leading and lecturing on Continuing Education Courses (Professional Development) since 1992 (41 occasions). (Publication list to be found under www.igt.ethz.ch/)