Insights into the dynamic and thermal characteristics of rockslide motion: a model experiment

Experiments were carried out to study the dynamic and thermal characteristics of rockslide motion using a model slope with sliding blocks of varying parameters. A high-speed camera for block velocity, an acceleration acquisition system for impact acceleration, and a thermal infrared camera for heating. The results between the recorded velocities and theoretical are consistent for sliding blocks. The impact acceleration shows complex non-stationary characteristics over a very short time duration (similar to 0.01 s), high amplitude (up to 5 g measured near the impact point), high-frequency motion (generally 100-300 Hz), and rapid attenuation. The thermal infrared images show that impact heating is substantially higher than frictional heating. The thermal analysis indicates frictional heating of 1-4.6 degrees C, whereas impact heating reached 20-60 degrees C. The temperatures during sliding were affected by the velocity, contact stiffness, and mass of the sliding block, with velocity showing the strongest influence. The impact heat dissipated very rapidly: 80% dissipated within 2 s, 95% within 5 s, and 98% within 10 s. The results of this study can be used as a future reference, and the impact characteristics provide guidelines for the development of disaster prevention measures. Moreover, the high temperatures verified in the tests provide meaningful information for studies on the sliding surface and movement speed of landslides.

Automated summary

Experiments were conducted to study the dynamic and thermal characteristics of rockslide motion utilizing a model slope with sliding blocks of varying parameters. Impact heating was found to be substantially higher than frictional heating, with factors such as velocity, contact stiffness, and mass of the sliding block affecting temperatures during sliding. The rapid dissipation of impact heat within a short time frame provides meaningful information for disaster prevention measures and studies on landslides.