1-g physical modeling in engineering geology and its application of pile-reinforced reservoir landslides

Reservoir operations can induce massive landslides due to the regional hydraulic effects, where pile reinforcement is a widely used stabilization method. The 1-g physical modeling is one of the most common methods used to study reservoir landslides and their pile reinforcement, while some limitations have been presented in the method, slowed its development down, and adverse to novel results. This paper presents a systematic review and discussion of 1-g physical modeling relevant to pile-reinforced reservoir landslides. Various aspects, from the theoretical basis (i.e., principle of similitude) to experimental details (i.e., model construction, test technique, and data acquisition and interpretation), are investigated. The principle of similitude and application in the physical modeling of pile-reinforced reservoir landslides are discussed. Factors causing distortions in a 1-g physical landslide model are discussed, and measures for distortion control are proposed. The significance and limitations of the physical model construction and obtained data are analyzed, and some improvements are proposed. Based on previous work and our experience, the lessons learned in the technical aspects of 1-g physical modeling are presented along with recommendations for the physical modeling of landslides, especially those reinforced with piles.