A nonlinear dynamical model of landslide evolution

A nonlinear dynamical model for the evolution of landslide is proposed. The parameters of this model are obtained through an improved iterative algorithm of inversion developed in the paper. Based on the nonlinear dynamical model and nonlinear dynamical systems (NDS) theory, the approaches to determining the Lyapunov exponents, the predictable timescale and the stability criterion of the evolutional state of landslide are given. A case study of the Xintan slope is presented to illustrate the capability and merit of the nonlinear dynamical model. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.