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Deep-seated large-scale toppling failure in metamorphic rocks: a case study of the Erguxi slope in southwest China

  • Mountain Hazards
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Abstract

Deep-seated large-scale toppling failure presents unique challenges in the study of natural slope deformation process in mountainous regions. An active deep-seated toppling process was identified in the Erguxi slope located in southwest China, which affected a large area and damaged critical transportation infrastructure with the volume of the deforming rock mass exceeding 24×106 m3. It poses significant risks to the downstream Shiziping Hydropower Station by damming the Zagunao River. Field investigation and monitoring results indicate that the deformation of the Erguxi slope is in the advanced stage of deep-seated toppling process, with the formation of a disturbed belt but no identifiable master failure surface. It was postulated that the alternating tensile and shear strength associated with the hard/soft laminated rock strata of metasandstone and phyllite layers preclude the development of either a tensile or shear failure surface, which resulted in the continuous deformation and displacement without a catastrophic mass movement. The slope movement is in close association with the unfavorable geological conditions of the study area in addition to the construction of transportation infrastructure and the increase of the reservoir level. On the basis of the mechanism and intensity of the ongoing toppling deformation, a qualitative grading system was proposed to describe the toppling process and to evaluate the slope stability. This paper summarized the field observation and monitoring data on the toppling deformation for better characterizing its effect on the stability of the Erguxi slope. The qualitative grading system intends to provide a basis for quantitative study of large-scale deep-seated toppling process in metamorphic rocks.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank ZHANG Shi-shu, TANG Jian-chang, LI Chang-you, XIONG Tian, XU Xu, GAO Jian-xiang, and YUAN Guo-qing from the Power China Chengdu Engineering Co. Ltd. for the fruitful discussions during the preparation of this article. Authors are indebted to Dr. J. David Frost for his constant support on the collaboration. Thanks are due to HAN Xiang-sen, MU Jian-qiao, DU Ye, YANG Qing-wen, LIN Hua-zhang, WEI Xiao-jia, WEI Lu, MENG Ming-hui, WU Hao-yu, WANG Zi-long, ZHANG Li-zan, TAN Xun, and ZHAN Wei-wei for their support during the field investigation. This study is financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41572302 and Grant No. 41130745), the Funds for Creative Research Groups of China (Grant No. 41521002), and the Open Research Fund from the State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology) (Grant No. SKLGP2015K001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China

    Ming Liu, Run-qiu Huang & Xiang-jun Pei

  2. School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA

    Fang-zhou Liu

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  1. Ming Liu
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Correspondence to Xiang-jun Pei.

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Liu, M., Liu, Fz., Huang, Rq. et al. Deep-seated large-scale toppling failure in metamorphic rocks: a case study of the Erguxi slope in southwest China. J. Mt. Sci. 13, 2094–2110 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-015-3803-4

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