PriMera Scientific Engineering (ISSN: 2834-2550)

Research Study

Volume 9 Issue 3

Landslide Risk Assessment Based on Real-Time Rainfall Data and Groundwater Fluctuation Modelling

Damir Jagodic*, Ahmed El Sayed and Zlatan Talic

September 02, 2026

Abstract

This research focuses on assessing landslide risk triggered by rainfall through numerical modelling of groundwater level fluctuation and slope stability. The methodology is based on real-time field measurements and meteorological data obtained from hydrometeorological stations. The research methodology is structured into three main phases. The first phase involves defining the relationship between rainfall characteristics—such as intensity, cumulative precipitation, runoff coefficient, and soil permeability—and the corresponding change in groundwater level. The second phase consists of a detailed geotechnical model of the slope, with groundwater level as an input derived from the first phase. Slope stability calculation is performed using finite element software, where groundwater level is treated as a variable parameter. Groundwater elevation is determined so that global stability safety factor is equal to 1.0. Considering calculation results, goal of the paper is to help develop a predictive equation that links cumulative rainfall to groundwater level and slope stability.

Keywords: Landslide; Groundwater; Rainfall; FEM Analysis

References

  1. Gariano SL and Guzzetti F. “Landslides in a changing climate”. Earth-Science Reviews 162 (2016): 227-252.
  2. Guzzetti F., et al. “Rainfall thresholds for the initiation of landslides in central and southern Europe”. Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics 98.3-4 (2007): 239-267.
  3. Segoni S., et al. “A regional-scale landslide warning system based on 20 years of rainfall-landslide data in Tuscany (Italy)”. Geological Society, London, Engineering Geology Special Publications 28.1 (2018): 321-332.
  4. Iverson RM. “Landslide triggering by rain infiltration”. Water Resources Research 36.7 (2000): 1897-1910.
  5. Caine N. “The rainfall intensity-duration control of shallow landslides and debris flows”. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography 62.1-2 (1980): 23-27.
  6. Peruccacci S., et al. “Lithological and seasonal control on rainfall thresholds for landslides in Italy”. Geomorphology 139-140 (2012): 79-90.
  7. Segoni S., et al. “A regional-scale landslide warning system based on 20 years of rainfall-landslide data in Tuscany (Italy)”. Geological Society, London, Engineering Geology Special Publications 28.1 (2018): 321-332.
  8. Aleotti P. “A warning system for rainfall-induced shallow failures”. Engineering Geology 73.3-4 (2004): 247-265.
  9. Bogaard TA and Greco R. “Landslide hydrology: From hydrology to slope stability”. Earth-Science Reviews 159 (2016): 4-102.
  10. Reid ME and Iverson RM. “Gravity-driven groundwater flow and slope failure potential”. Water Resources Research 28.4 (1992): 939-950.
  11. Baum RL and Godt JW and Highland LM. “Landslide hazards: A national threat”. U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2008-3072 (2008).
  12. Saito H and Nakayama D and Matsuyama H. “Relationship between shallow landslide initiation and rainfall intensity-duration thresholds in Japan”. Geomorphology 118.1-2 (2010): 167-175.
  13. Chinkulkijniwat A, Apipattanavis S and Jotisankasa A. “Rainfall-groundwater response functions for landslide prediction in tropical soils”. Engineering Geology 300 (2022): 106591.
  14. Gofar N and Lee LM. “Rainfall and infiltration effects on the stability of residual soil slopes”. Electronic Journal of Geotechnical Engineering 13 (2008).
  15. Wieczorek GF and Glade T. “Climatic factors influencing occurrence of debris flows”. Debris-flow hazards and related phenomena (2005): 325-362.
  16. Zhang S., et al. “Coupled hydro-mechanical modeling of rainfall-induced landslides”. Computers and Geotechnics 38.8 (2011): 1049-1060.
  17. Crosta GB and Frattini P. “Rainfall-induced landslides and debris flows”. Hydrological Processes 22.4 (2008): 473-477.
  18. Baum RL, Savage WZ and Godt JW. “Estimating timing and location of shallow rainfall-induced landslides using a model for transient unsaturated infiltration”. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface 115.F3 (2010).
  19. Suljić N. “Determination of Change in Coefficiency of Flow and Coefficient of Rainwater Infiltration into Body of Waste Landfill by Suljic Method”. New Technologies, Development and Application V, Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems 472, Springer, Cham (2022): 872-881.
  20. Jusić S, Hadžić E and Milišić H. “Urban Stormwater Management -New Technologies”. New Technologies, Development and Application II, Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems 76, Springer, Cham (2019): 790-797.
  21. Šuvalija S, Hadžić E and Milišić H. “Urban Stormwater Management -New Challenges”. New Technologies, Development and Application IV, Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems 233, Springer, Cham (2021): 1046-1054.