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Geological structure and failure mechanism of an excavation-induced rockslide on the Tibetan Plateau, China

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Abstract

Rock slope failures are controlled by a complex interplay of geological structures and anthropogenic activities. In this study, data from structural geology, rock mass characterization, and ground-based monitoring networks are integrated into a numerical model. This model is used to explore the relationships among structural features, damages, anthropogenic activities, and slope failures occurring on the Tibetan Plateau in China. In particular, a model for the interpretation of brittle tectonic structures is illustrated, which characterizes the fracture patterns and explains the role of these features in the development of rock slope instability. Additionally, the relationships between tectonic structure-related fractures and slope failure mechanisms are investigated by characterizing the rock mass damage using the geological strength index. Finally, a numerical model is developed, which integrates the available data. It is found that the tectonic structure-related fractures controlled by an anticline are primarily responsible for slope failure, while an excavation was identified as its triggering mechanism. This research can serve as a reference for studies on excavation-induced rockslides.

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Funding

This work was supported by National Key R&D Program of China (Grant 2018YFC1505003 and 2017YFC1501003), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 41772312), the Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41790433), and the CAS “Light of West China” Program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Mountain Hazards and Surface Process, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Lei Zhu, Siming He & Jihao Jian

  2. Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Siming He

  3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Siming He & Jihao Jian

  4. China 19th Metallurgical Corporation, Chengdu, 610031, China

    Jun Zhou & Bin Liu

Authors
  1. Lei Zhu
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  2. Siming He
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  3. Jihao Jian
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  4. Jun Zhou
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  5. Bin Liu
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Correspondence to Siming He.

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Zhu, L., He, S., Jian, J. et al. Geological structure and failure mechanism of an excavation-induced rockslide on the Tibetan Plateau, China. Bull Eng Geol Environ 80, 1019–1033 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-02031-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-02031-2

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