Conceptualization of preferential flow for hillslope stability assessment

This study uses two approaches to conceptualize
preferential flow with the goal to investigate their
influence on hillslope stability. Synthetic three-dimensional
hydrogeological models using dual-permeability and
discrete-fracture conceptualization were subsequently integrated into slope stability simulations. The slope stability
simulations reveal significant differences in slope stability
depending on the preferential flow conceptualization applied,
despite similar small-scale hydrogeological responses of the
system. This can be explained by a local-scale increase of
pore-water pressures observed in the scenario with discrete
fractures. The study illustrates the critical importance of correctly conceptualizing preferential flow for slope stability
simulations. It further demonstrates that the combination of
the latest generation of physically based hydrogeological
models with slope stability simulations allows for
improvement to current modeling approaches through more
complex consideration of preferential flow paths.