A loess landslide induced by excavation and rainfall

The initiation of loess landslides is a common engineering problem during the construction of the expressway or other engineering works in the Loess Plateau of China. The engineers and researchers should devote themselves to the prevention of the initiation of loess landslides. This study focused on a loess landslide which was induced during the construction of an expressway in Shanxi Province of China. The stabilities of the loess hillside slope before and after excavation were analyzed using limit equilibrium analysis method and the strength reduction finite element method, respectively. The analysis results indicated that the loess hillside slope, before excavation, was stable under both natural state and rainfall conditions. The collapse of the loess hillside slope, or the initiation of loess landslides, after having been excavated, was induced by excavation and rainfall. The integrated stabilization method including four parts was used to stabilize the loess landslide. The four parts were a reinforced concrete piles row, a rubble concrete retaining wall, alteration of slope geometry, and interception and drainage of water. The initiation of the loess landslide might be evitable if it was given enough attention before excavation; thus, the problem of loess landslides should be paid big attention during the survey and design of the engineering works, not only during the construction.