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

• Published in: Bulletin of engineering geology and the environment Vol. 80; no. 2; pp. 1019 - 1033
• Main Authors: Zhu, Lei, He, Siming, Jian, Jihao, Zhou, Jun, Liu, Bin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.02.2021
• Subjects: Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Foundations; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Geoengineering; Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences; Hydraulics; Nature Conservation; Original Paper; Failure mechanism; Rockslide; Tibetan Plateau; Excavation
• ISSN: 1435-9529; 1435-9537
• DOI: 10.1007/s10064-020-02031-2

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.