Discussion of “A Simple Method for Predicting Rainfall-Induced Shallow Landslides”

摘要: The authors presented a simple-to-use method for predicting rainfall-induced shallow landslides and the associated triggering mechanisms. They justified their assumptions and clearly discussed the limitations of their method. The simple method is based on two simplified models: simplified hydrological models for hydrological analysis and the infinite slope model (ISM) for slope stability analysis. This discussion focuses on the latter. More specifically, the implication of using the infinite slope model is evaluated and a more accurate model that can overcome the limitation of the infinite slope model is introduced.The infinite slope model is routinely used for analysis of shallow landslides because the method gives quick estimate of the factor of safety (SF), and SF is underestimated (conservative for design purpose) for non-cohesionless slopes due to the absence of boundary effects. By letting SF ¼ 1, the strength …