Three-dimensional numerical simulations of the Downie Slide to test the influence of shear surface geometry and heterogeneous shear zone stiffness

Massive slow-moving landslides often exhibit deformation patterns which vary spatially across the landslide mass and temporally with changing boundary conditions. Understanding the parameters controlling this behaviour, such as heterogeneous material properties, complex landslide geometry and the distribution of groundwater, is fundamental when making informed design and hazard management decisions. This paper demonstrates that significant improvements to the geomechanical analysis of massive landslides can be achieved through rigorous, three-dimensional numerical modelling. Simulations of the Downie Slide incorporate complex shear zone geometries, multiple water tables and spatial variation of shear zone stiffness parameters to adequately reproduce real slope behaviour observed through an ongoing site monitoring program. These three-dimensional models are not hindered by shortfalls typically associated with two-dimensional analysis, for example the ability to accommodate lateral migration of material, and they out-perform more simplified three-dimensional models where bowl-shaped shear geometries are incapable of reasonably reproducing observed deformation patterns.     

Engineering geomorphological characterisation of the Vajont Slide,Italy, and a new interpretation of the chronology and evolution of the landslide

Although the 1963 Vajont Slide in Italy has been extensively studied for over 50 years, its regional geological and geomorphological context has been neglected. In this paper, we use field observations and remote sensing data to elucidate the interaction between endogenic and exogenic processes that brought the north slope of Monte Toc to failure. We present the first detailed pre- and post-failure engineering geomorphology maps of the slide area. The maps delineate two main landslide blocks, several sub-blocks, compressional and extensional zones, and secondary failures in the deposit. The maps provide new insights into the kinematics, dynamics and evolution of the slide. Finally, we discuss the origin of Vajont Gorge and a prehistoric failure that occurred at the same location as the 1963 slide. We propose, as part of a newly developed multi-stage landscape evolution sequence, that the prehistoric failure was a deep-seated gravitational slope deformation (sackung) that initiated during deglaciation and continued to slowly move until the catastrophic failure in 1963. We argue that the gorge was created by these deep-seated slow movements.     

崩塌诱发其下部滑坡变形过程的分析研究

崩塌冲击或崩积物重力加载作用都可能诱发坡脚滑坡的变形或失稳。在查明坡体结构的基础上,采用3DEC离散元数值模拟方法,对高陡斜坡在地下开采作用下崩塌所产生的机理、失稳模式、破坏规模、运动轨迹进行了全过程模拟,特别是斜坡失稳后和坡脚滑坡的相互作用效应进行了深入分析。结果表明:通过地下开采诱发的崩塌过程模拟及其研究,发现斜坡在地下开采的扰动下会产生大规模的崩塌,其滚石会对滑坡体产生强烈的冲击作用,且所形成的崩积物会对滑坡体产生重力加载作用。再通过监测数据以及现场收集的资料分析得出滑坡的蠕滑变形主要是由于崩积物重力加载作用引起的,且有继续变形的趋势,在暴雨季节时,滑坡的变形速率可能会增大,有潜在大规模滑动的危险,需做好相应的防护工作。     

Application of spatial prediction techniques to defining three-dimensional landslide shear surface geometry

This study explores the application of interpolating and non-interpolating spatial prediction algorithms to interpreting shear surface geometries. A number of spatial prediction techniques have been tested, and the most appropriate algorithms for the Downie Slide dataset have been selected based on the root mean squared error (RMSE) determined from cross-validation. Visual assessment of reasonable spatial patterns has allowed for final selection of algorithms that produce geologically realistic results. Through this process, the performance of a number of interpolation algorithms has been tested in terms of accuracy and the development of reasonable spatial patterns. The goal of this study has been: (a) to develop a methodology for interpolating three-dimensional shear surface geometries and (b) to assess which interpolation methods are most appropriate for the interpretation of the Downie Slide basal slip surface geometry, based quantitatively on RMSE and qualitatively on the geological “trueness” of the geometric output.     

Physically based hydrogeological and slope stability modeling of the Turaida castle mound

This study explores the potential of integrating state-of-the-art physically based hydrogeological modeling into slope stability simulations to identify the hydrogeological triggers of landslides. Hydrogeological models considering detailed morphological, lithological, and climatic factors were elaborated. Groundwater modeling reveals locations with elevated pore water pressures in the subsurface and allows the quantification of temporal dynamics of the pore water pressures. Results of the hydrogeological modeling were subsequently applied as boundary conditions for the slope stability simulations. The numerical models illustrate that the hydrogeological impacts affecting hillslope stability are strongly controlled by local groundwater flow conditions and their conceptualization approach in the hydrogeological model. Groundwater flow itself is heavily influenced by the inherent geological conditions and the dynamics of climatic forcing. Therefore, both detailed investigation of the landslide’s hydrogeology and appropriate conceptualization and scaling of hydrogeological settings in a numerical model are essential to avoid an underestimation of the landslide risk. The study demonstrates the large potential in combining state-of-the-art computational hydrology with slope stability modeling in real-world cases.     

Stability Analysis of Landslide near Dewal Village along Murree-Muzaffarabad Road,Pakistan

This study presents a detailed geological and geotechnical analysis of Dewal landslide along Murree-Muzaffarabad road, Pakistan. The study area is situated in a tectonically active region of the earth where mass movements like rock fall, rockslides and slumps cause adverse economic loss through disruption of travelling on roads. The study has the main focus on factors responsible for its instability together with stability analysis using limit equilibrium method by use of computer program Slide (version 5.0). The input parameters of rock mass was evaluated by field investigations and laboratory testing. To analyze the net deposit and net slide mass of the landslide area, multi-date point’s data of 2008 and 2012 of the slide area was obtained and their digital elevation models were generated by using Inverse distance weighting (IDW) technique in ArcGIS 9.3. The study has concluded that the present slope instability is the function of a specific deformation pattern in the rock units (leading towards the possibility of a shear plane under the slid mass), surface and subsurface drainage and the engineering behavior of the overburden and underlying rock units. This study recommends several protection parameters for landslide and suggests that detailed investigation of Dewal landslide is required for long term stability.     

Formation and characteristics of the Xiaoba landslide in Fuquan,Guizhou, China

On August 27, 2014, a large-scale landslide occurred in Fuquan, Guizhou, China. This high-speed landslide caused considerable destruction; 23 people were killed, 22 were injured, and 77 houses were damaged. Field investigations, deformation monitoring, and numerical analyses have been performed to examine the characteristics and formation processes of this landslide. In the Xiaoba area, the slope showed a two-layered structure with a hard upper layer and a soft lower layer. Dolomite of the Dengying Formation in the slope front formed a locked segment controlling slope stability. Based on deformation and failure characteristics, the landslide is divided into sliding source area A and accumulation area B. The landslide is also divided into the following stages: bedding slip, tension cracking at the slope scarp, and the appearance of the locked section at the slope toe. Numerical calculations show that excavation led to maximum shear strain concentration along the interface of siltstone and slate in the middle of the slope, which became a potential sliding surface. Stress concentration and distribution of the plastic zone of the locked segment of the Dengying Formation dolomite occurred in the slope toe. Continuous rainfall caused the groundwater level to rise in the Xiaoba slope. The unfavorable geological structure was a determinant factor, and the combined effects of excavation and continuous rainfall were triggering factors that induced the landslide. The geomechanical mode for the Xiaoba landslide is sliding tension–shear failure.     

工程开挖活动诱发堆积层滑坡变形机理及加固效果分析

位于川西高原雅砻江两河口水电站库区的杜米村移民安置点由于切坡建房,诱发后山斜坡强烈变形,威胁移民安置点和S220省道安全。首先,基于现场调查、测绘、钻探、槽探等勘查手段,查明了滑坡发育的工程地质条件和变形特征;通过对滑体和滑带土开展室内直剪、反复剪试验,以及对滑床基岩进行抗压强度试验,结合反分析,合理确定了滑坡稳定性计算参数。然后,采用有限元程序Phase2建立滑坡数值计算模型,模拟再现了滑坡在开挖前、开挖后、降雨后的应力、变形特征和稳定性变化过程,在此基础上分析了滑坡的变形机理。研究认为：不良的地形地貌、地质结构和地下水是滑坡发生的内在因素,坡脚开挖是滑坡变形启动的诱发因素,后期持续降雨入渗是滑坡变形加剧直至失稳破坏的直接因素;开挖导致滑体前缘抗滑力降低、滑带和开挖边坡坡脚产生剪应力集中是滑坡变形启动的力学机制,而饱水和持续剪切变形导致滑带土强度不断衰减接近饱和残余状态是滑坡变形加剧的本质原因;滑坡的变形破坏模式为牵引式蠕滑-拉裂。最后,采用有限元强度折减法对加固治理后的滑坡稳定性进行了计算分析。结果表明：天然条件下滑坡变形主要出现在桩后填土,降雨条件下变形范围扩大至强变形区,地震条件下变形范围进一步扩大至整个滑坡范围;三种工况下滑坡的稳定系数均能达到设计要求,表明加固设计方案和工程结构参数是合理的。研究成果可为类似滑坡工程案例的机理研究及防治提供参考。     

含软弱夹层库岸复杂滑坡体形成机制

黄土坡复杂滑坡体形成机制研究对滑坡稳定性分析非常重要。通过地层对比并考虑软弱夹层的发育特征建立了巴东城区黄土坡斜坡原岩结构模型,斜坡前缘巴东组第三段上亚段岩体中软弱夹层发育密集,可与黄土坡滑坡深部多级滑带对应。数值模拟计算表明,斜坡在形成演化过程中斜坡前缘巴东组第三段上亚段岩体出现了明显的剪应变集中分布,变形深度与斜坡临江I号崩滑堆积体厚度基本一致,可见斜坡岩体结构和斜坡演化过程的应力应变特征控制了临江I号崩滑堆积体的形成。三峡水库蓄水后会加剧滑坡体的剪切变形,泥化夹层的存在容易诱发深层滑坡。      

成仁高速红层分布区开挖边坡变形特征及机制

四川盆地红层分布广泛,其特殊的工程特性常导致严重的地质灾害。通过分析成仁高速文宫连接线边坡的变形破坏特征,得出边坡在开挖和降雨的影响下破坏机制为蠕滑-拉裂。进一步用FLAC3D进行数值分析,显示开挖卸荷和降雨影响导致滑坡灾害,其后缘发生拉裂破坏,并引发滑坡前部发生剪切滑移破坏。针对该类型的边坡,开挖后应对路堑以上部分及时采取加固措施,避免降雨入渗软化土体,加剧滑坡变形破坏。      

断裂控制的滑坡机理研究以柳家坡滑坡为例

本文针对受红椿坝-曾家坝断裂控制的陕西省安康市岚皋县柳家坡滑坡,在现场调查分析的基础上,采用Midas/GTS软件对其形成机理进行了三维数值模拟研究。模拟结果表明,断裂对该滑坡的发生起着控制性的作用,岩土体的性质决定了该滑坡的类型,而水和人类工程活动触发了该滑坡的发生。得到柳家坡滑坡的变形破坏模式为:坡体前缘向前运动,西侧断层强烈破碎带通过处侧壁剪切破坏,坡体后缘产生张拉裂缝,从而带动东侧坡体的变形破坏。由于坡体前缘为修建公路开挖的临空面,坡脚处缺失支撑,诱发了滑坡的发生。柳家坡滑坡形成机理的模拟结果可为日后相似条件下滑坡的防治提供一定的借鉴。     

滑坡运动过程仿真分析

滑坡是一个动态过程，滑坡体的运动是一个集滑动，转动，拉张等运动方式的复杂运动过程，传统的极限平衡和计算和有限元分析均无法描述滑坡的运动学特点和运动过程。非连续变形分析（DDA）是最近发展起来的一种新的离散数值分析方法。该方法基于块体的运动学理论及数值分析，可以开展块体的静力和动力学计算。应用非连续变形分析方法对长江三峡区新滩滑坡的运动全过程进行了数值模拟研究，模拟方案充分依据该滑坡的地质，地形特征，按不同岩土体和地质结构面类型进行块体单元的划分，共划分成504个块体单元。模拟结果表明，新滩滑坡是以斜坡中部姜家坡一带的局部破坏为其运动的开始阶段，并进一步牵引上部滑体和推动下部滑体。代表性块体单元的位移变化曲线和滑动速度变化曲线反映了滑动过程中滑坡体块体系统的变形是非连续的，各处块体的动态形态各异，从而很好地再现了新滩滑坡的整个动态过程，揭示了滑坡的运动机制。     

白鹤滩水电站左岸坝肩开挖边坡稳定性分析

白鹤滩水电站左岸坝基边坡地质构造错综复杂,坡内多条陡倾断层和顺坡向错动带是控制边坡稳定性的主要因素。结合现场地质资料、监测数据及勘察认识,利用通用离散元软件UDEC建立左岸边坡开挖变形分析模型。首先在无支护开挖工况下研究主要结构面F17、LS331、LS3319上下盘岩体关键点应力及位移变化,并指出潜在失稳破坏区;同时采用预应力锚索单元在不同施工时序下对潜在不稳定块体进行加固计算,对比研究了不同方案下左岸边坡的变形破坏机制和整体稳定性。计算结果和现场监测表明：左岸边坡变形破坏与结构面密切相关,在开挖卸荷作用下主要表现为沿错动带的压剪破坏和陡倾断层的张拉破坏,采用预应力锚索加固处理能够有效提高边坡稳定性,并且在开挖后及时跟进支护可以有效抑制边坡剪切变形。研究结果对白鹤滩左岸坝基边坡后续工程加固和施工工序具有一定的参考价值。     

Stability analysis and supporting system design of a high-steep cut soil slope on an ancient landslide during highway construction of Tehran–Chalus

The stability of both natural and cut slopes in mountainous areas is a great challenge to highway constructions and operations. This paper presents a successful case study of stability analyses and protection treatments for high-steep cut soil slopes in an ancient landslide zone which was located at Km12+700 to Km15+000 along the Tehran?CChalus highway. This report has three parts. First, geotechnical investigations of in situ direct shear test, SPT tests and laboratory tests were implemented to get the subsurface profiles and the mechanical properties of the soil mass. Second, finite difference analysis was carried out to evaluate the stability of both the natural and cut slopes. Minimum safety factors and potential failure modes of cut slopes were obtained under both static and dynamic conditions. These results indicated that the ancient landslide could not be reactivated under the present climatic and morphological conditions, but there were some potential shallow failures in some cut soil slopes (failure actually occurred during excavation). Protection treatments and reinforcements were thus necessary. Third, the stability of the cut slopes was re-assessed by simplified Bishop limit equilibrium analysis (using Slide 5.0). Some potential failure zones were designed to be protected by back-anchored concrete retaining wall at the slope toe, rock bolts and frame beams on the slope face and planting grass on the slope face. Numerical analysis indicated that these protection measures could stabilize this remedial slope. These practical experiences may be of benefit for similar highway construction projects.     

“醉汉林”作为滑坡和边坡变形特征标志的意义——以陕西陇县地区为例

“醉汉林”一般被当做滑坡存在的一种标志。在陕西宝鸡地区进行地质灾害详细调查的过程中,发现变形边坡也有“醉汉林”分布。对陕西陇县郭家庄变形边坡“醉汉林”的树木倾斜角与边坡的倾角进行了测量,并结合几何学分析,认为树木倾斜角反映了边坡倾角的变化,并得出边坡倾角不断变陡是该地区边坡变形的一种主要方式的结论。研究结果表明,“醉汉林”有着多样而具体的指示意义:“醉汉林”记录了边坡变形的历史,可以作为区分滑坡与变形边坡的标志,“醉汉林”可以指示滑坡及边坡的状态,还可以判断滑坡剪出口是否存在。     

Fault-valve behaviour in optimally oriented shear zones: an example at the Revenge gold mine, Kambalda, Western Australia

Quartz vein systems developed in and adjacent to shear zones host major gold deposits in the Kambalda region of the Norseman–Wiluna greenstone belt. At the Revenge Mine, two groups of mineralised reverse shear zones formed as conjugate, near-optimally oriented sets during ESE subhorizontal shortening adjacent to a major transpressional shear system. The shear zones developed at temperatures of about 400°C in a transitional brittle–ductile regime. Deformation was associated with high fluid fluxes and involved fault-valve behaviour at transiently near-lithostatic fluid pressures. During progressive evolution of the shear system, early brittle and ductile deformation was overprinted by predominantly brittle deformation. Brittle shear failure was associated with fault dilation and the formation of fault-fill veins, particularly at fault bends and jogs. A transition from predominantly brittle shear failure to combined shear along faults and extension failure adjacent to faults occurred late during shear zone evolution and is interpreted as a response to a progressive decrease in maximum shear stress and a decrease in effective stresses. The formation of subhorizontal stylolites, locally subvertical extension veins and minor normal faults in association with thrust faulting, indicates episodic or transient reorientation of the near-field maximum principal stress from a subhorizontal to a near-vertical attitude during some fault-valve cycles. Local stress re-orientation is interpreted as resulting from near-total shear stress release and overshoot during some rupture events. Previously described fault-valve systems have formed predominantly in severely misoriented faults. The shear systems at Revenge Mine indicate that fault-valve action, and associated fluctuations in shear stress and fluid pressure, can influence the mechanical behaviour of optimally-oriented faults.     

Sensitivity of shear zones in orogenic wedges to surface processes and strain softening

We investigate the internal deformation of orogenic wedges growing by frontal accretion with a two-dimensional numerical model. Our models are limited to crustal deformation and assume a horizontal detachment as observed for various natural orogens (e.g. Alaska and Costa Rica). The model wedges develop as a result of convergence of a brittle sediment layer in front of a strong backstop. We find that our reference model develops in-sequence forward-thrusts which propagate upward from the basal detachment. For this reference model we investigate the sensitivity of shear zone activity to surface processes and strain softening. Model results show that diffusive or slope dependent erosion enhances material transport across the wedge and slows down forward propagation of the deformation front. Frictional strain softening focuses deformation into narrow shear zones and enhances displacement along them. This has also been postulated for natural thrusts such as the Glarus thrust in the Swiss Alps and the Moine thrust in the Scottish Caledonides. A second series of models investigates the effects of regularly spaced weak inclusions within the sediment layer which simulate remnants of previous deformation phases. These inclusions facilitate and focus internal deformation, influence the thrust dip and thrust vergence and enable thrust reactivation in the internal part of the wedge. Our results show that inactive thrusts in the internal part of the wedges may be reactivated in models with diffusive surface processes, strain softening or weak inclusions. Thrust reactivation occurs as models seek to maintain their critical taper angle. First order characteristics of our numerical models agree well with natural orogenic wedges and results from other numerical and analogue models.     

地下水渗流对崩坡积滑坡稳定性和变形的影响——以湖南安化春风滑坡群为例

为了研究地下水渗流对崩坡积滑坡变形的影响,通过分析现场调查勘察资料,在研究该滑坡所处的地质环境条件、滑坡的形态特征和变形特征的基础上,探讨了该滑坡的形成机制,对比了地下水渗流对崩坡积滑坡和老滑坡的影响,并开展了数值模拟。取得的认识有:（1）地形地貌、地层岩性、大气降水、人类工程活动是该滑坡形成的主要原因。在这些因素共同作用下,滑坡最终失稳变形,过程中可能发生多次滑动,形成现今的堆积形态。（2）降雨引起的地下水渗流对该崩坡积滑坡稳定性和变形的影响是十分显著的。对于局部架空现象较严重的崩坡积组成的Ⅲ号滑坡体,雨水更易入渗进入坡体,地下水渗流对其稳定性和变形的作用十分明显;而对于优势通道较少的Ⅰ号和Ⅱ号老滑坡体,局部架空现象相对较差,地下水渗流对其稳定性和变形的作用不显著。（3）降雨时间和降雨强度与滑坡稳定性负相关。降雨强度较小时、一定时间内降水对滑坡稳定性影响不大,但降雨较大时,滑坡稳定性将快速降低。     

甘肃舟曲南峪江顶崖古滑坡发育特征与复活机理

江顶崖古滑坡位于甘肃舟曲白龙江左岸,区内地形地貌和地质构造复杂,多高山峡谷且河流纵坡降大,晚第四纪以来强烈活动的坪定—化马断裂带从区内通过,造成地层岩性极为破碎,古滑坡发育,且复活特征明显。在遥感解译和现场调查的基础上,对江顶崖古滑坡的发育特征和复活机理进行分析,认为江顶崖古滑坡堆积体方量为41×106～49×106m3,为在地质历史上形成的巨型古滑坡,位于坪定—化马断裂带及其次级断裂形成的断裂带内。根据滑坡不同位置和坡体结构特征,将江顶崖古滑坡共划分为古滑坡崩塌区、滑坡岩体变形区、古滑坡堆积区等3个大区,以及4个古滑坡复活区等7个区域,坡体内断错陡坎和拉裂缝极为发育。江顶崖古滑坡的中部复活区是主要变形和破坏区,1991年和2018年的复活区均位于该区域内,2018年复活滑坡体体积为480×104～550×104m3,为缓慢滑动的牵引式滑坡。江顶崖古滑坡复活机理复杂,在断裂活动和地震作用下形成的破碎岩土体和斜坡结构特征为滑坡复活提供了内因,强降雨作用增加了坡体自重并弱化了岩土体的力学强度,在暴雨期形成的强烈河流侵蚀作用进一步切割坡脚,从而诱发滑坡的复活;因此,江顶崖古滑坡是在内外动力耦合作用下形成的典型古滑坡复活案例。目前江顶崖古滑坡区域内的4个滑坡复活区仍处于蠕滑状态,在强降雨和河流侵蚀等作用下极可能再次发生复活,并造成堵江和毁坏国道等灾害事件。     

降雨型红层滑坡形成机理研究

以贵州省习水县某红层滑坡为例,在野外详细调查基础上,结合室内力学试验、数值模拟技术,查明该滑坡变形破坏特征,得出节理裂隙、水对泥岩力学强度的影响效应,综合分析并阐明滑坡形成机理.研究表明:该滑坡属于典型的降雨顺层滑坡,滑坡的形成是由降雨、地形、开挖以及岩土体性质综合所致.开挖为滑坡的剪出提供临空面,降雨过程中坡体渗流场...