Analysis of Stability of Concealed Cataclinal Slopes with Talus Deposits Accumulated at Their Toes with Respect to Biplanar Failure
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 21, Issue 11
Abstract
Talus deposits naturally form to a certain height in the toes of slopes because of the accumulation of collapsed material and small landslides. However, the stability of concealed cataclinal slopes with talus deposits accumulated at their toes (referred to as TDAT-CC slopes) with respect to biplanar failure is rarely studied. In this work, the typical geological profiles associated with TDAT-CC slopes are summarized and generalized and their failure modes are classified. A qualitative analysis of their stability is also carried out. The biplanar failure process is investigated by analyzing the development of plastic failure and displacement deformation using Universal Distinct Element Code. The analysis reveals the penetration process occurring in the biplanar sliding planes and clarifies the compression–shear failure processes taking place in such slopes. A new method for determining the stability of TDAT-CC slopes and predicting the failure surface formed is proposed based on limit-equilibrium theory and a model consisting of sliding mass blocks. Finally, the proposed method is used to calculate the stability of TDAT-CC slopes with deposits of different shapes and strengths and the results compared with the results of numerical simulations. The results obtained using the two methods are generally consistent. The talus deposits at the toe of the slope play the role of a toe buttress and help improve the slope’s stability. The safety factor of the slope increases as the inclination of the toe deposits becomes gentler; it also increases as the height of the toe deposits increases. The method proposed offers a sound basis for investigating biplanar failure in TDAT-CC slopes.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 12102443, 12072358, 41807250, and 42177140).
References
Alejano, L. R., A. M. Ferrero, P. Ramírez-Oyanguren, and M. I. Álvarez Fernández. 2011. “Comparison of limit-equilibrium, numerical and physical models of wall slope stability.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 48 (1): 16–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2010.06.013.
Alejano, L. R., and A. S. Juncal. 2010. “Stability analyses of footwall slopes in open pit mining.” Dyna 77 (161): 61–70.
Bahaaddini, M., P. Hagan, R. Mitra, and B. K. Hebblewhite. 2016. “Numerical study of the mechanical behavior of nonpersistent jointed rock masses.” Int. J. Geomech. 16 (1): 04015035. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000510.
Bolla, A., and P. Paronuzzi. 2020. “Geomechanical field survey to identify an unstable rock slope: The Passo della Morte case history (NE Italy).” Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 53 (4): 1521–1544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-019-01963-w.
Bonilla-Sierra, V., L. Scholtes, F. V. Donzé, and M. K. Elmouttie. 2015. “Rock slope stability analysis using photogrammetric data and DFN–DEM modelling.” Acta Geotech. 10 (4): 497–511. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-015-0374-z.
Cen, D., D. Huang, and F. Ren. 2017. “Shear deformation and strength of the interphase between the soil–rock mixture and the benched bedrock slope surface.” Acta Geotech. 12 (2): 391–413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-016-0468-2.
Chen, C., C. Sun, and Y. Zheng. 2018. “Three calculation methods for stability analysis of footwall slopes.” In Proc., 52nd U.S. Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics Symp. Seattle, WA: American Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA).
Chen, L., W. Zhang, Y. Zheng, D. Gu, and L. Wang. 2020. “Stability analysis and design charts for over-dip rock slope against biplanar sliding.” Eng. Geol. 275: 105732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2020.105732.
Cignetti, M., D. Godone, F. Zucca, D. Bertolo, and D. Giordan. 2020. “Impact of deep-seated gravitational slope deformation on urban areas and large infrastructures in the Italian Western Alps.” Sci. Total Environ. 740: 140360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140360.
Cruden, D. M. 1989. “Limits to common toppling.” Can. Geotech. J. 26 (4): 737–742. https://doi.org/10.1139/t89-085.
Cruden, D. M. 2000. “Some forms of mountain peaks in the Canadian Rockies controlled by their rock structure.” Quat. Int. 68–71: 59–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-6182(00)00032-X.
Cruden, D. M., and T. M. Eaton. 1987. “Reconnaissance of rockslide hazards in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.” Can. Geotech. J. 24 (3): 414–429. https://doi.org/10.1139/t87-052.
Cruden, D. M., and X. Q. Hu. 1993. “Exhaustion and steady state models for predicting landslide hazards in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.” Geomorphology 8 (4): 279–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-555X(93)90024-V.
Du, G., Y. Zhang, Z. Yang, C. Guo, X. Yao, and D. Sun. 2019. “Landslide susceptibility mapping in the region of eastern Himalayan syntaxis, Tibetan Plateau, China: A comparison between analytical hierarchy process information value and logistic regression-information value methods.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 78 (6): 4201–4215. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-018-1393-4.
Dykes, A. P., and E. N. Bromhead. 2018. “The Vaiont landslide: Re-assessment of the evidence leads to rejection of the consensus.” Landslides 15 (9): 1815–1832. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-018-0996-y.
Eberhardt, E., K. Thuro, and M. Luginbuehl. 2005. “Slope instability mechanisms in dipping interbedded conglomerates and weathered marls—The 1999 Rufi landslide, Switzerland.” Eng. Geol. 77 (1-2): 35–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2004.08.004.
Evans, S. G., and O. Hungr. 1993. “The assessment of rockfall hazard at the base of talus slopes.” Can. Geotech. J. 30 (4): 620–636. https://doi.org/10.1139/t93-054.
Fisher, B. R. 2009. “Improved characterization and analysis of bi-planar dip slope failures to limit model and parameter uncertainty in the determination of setback distances.” Ph.D. thesis, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Univ. of British Columbia.
Fisher, B. R., and E. Eberhardt. 2007. “Dip slope analysis and parameter uncertainty, a case history and practical recommendations.” In Rock mechanics: Meeting society’s challenges and demands, edited by E. Eberhardt, D. Stead, and T. Morrison, 871–878. London: Taylor & Francis.
García-Moya, S. A., J. González-Galindo, and C. Olalla. 2019. “Underdip toppling failure mechanism: Case study retrospective analysis and its most determinant parameters.” Int. J. Geomech. 19 (6): 05019005. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001408.
Ge, Y., H. Tang, M. A. M. E. Eldin, L. Wang, Q. Wu, and C. Xiong. 2017. “Evolution process of natural rock joint roughness during direct shear tests.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (5): E4016013.
Gong, B., and C. Tang. 2017. “Slope-slide simulation with discontinuous deformation and displacement analysis.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (5): E4016017. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000746.
Havaej, M., D. Stead, E. Eberhardt, and B. R. Fisher. 2014. “Characterization of biplanar and ploughing failure mechanisms in footwall slopes using numerical modelling.” Eng. Geol. 178 (16): 109–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.06.003.
Havaej, M., A. Wolter, and D. Stead. 2015. “The possible role of brittle rock fracture in the 1963 Vajont Slide, Italy.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 78 (1): 319–330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2015.06.008.
Huang, D., D. Gu, Y. Song, D. Cen, and B. Zeng. 2018. “Towards a complete understanding of the triggering mechanism of a large reactivated landslide in the three gorges reservoir.” Eng. Geol. 238: 36–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.03.008.
Huang, R. 2007. “Large-scale landslides and their sliding mechanisms in China since the 20th century.” Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng. 26 (3): 433–454.
Huang, S., X. Ding, Y. Zhang, Y. Weng, Y. Wu, and C. Zhang. 2020. “Field and numerical investigation of high wall stability with thin, steeply dipping strata in an underground powerhouse.” Int. J. Geomech. 20 (6): 04020055. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001685.
Jian, W., Q. Xu, H. Yang, and F. Wang. 2014. “Mechanism and failure process of Qianjiangping landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China.” Environ. Earth Sci. 72 (8): 2999–3013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3205-x.
Jomelli, V., and B. Francou. 2000. “Comparing the characteristics of rockfall talus and snow avalanche landforms in an alpine environment using a new methodological approach: Massif des Ecrins, French Alps.” Geomorphology 35 (3-4): 181–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(00)00035-0.
Lambiel, C., and K. Pieracci. 2008. “Permafrost distribution in talus slopes located within the alpine periglacial belt, Swiss Alps.” Permafrost Periglacial Processes 19 (3): 293–304. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.624.
Li, A., F. Dai, Y. Liu, H. Du, and R. Jiang. 2021. “Dynamic stability evaluation of underground cavern sidewalls against flexural toppling considering excavation-induced damage.” Tunnelling Underground Space Technol. 112: 103903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tust.2021.103903.
Li, B., T. Li, N. Xu, F. Dai, W. Chen, and Y. Tan. 2018. “Stability assessment of the left bank slope of the Baihetan Hydropower Station, Southwest China.” Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 104: 34–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2018.02.016.
Li, S., D. Nie, and H. Liu. 2006. “Engineering property of a large-scale elastic accumulation body and its stability evaluation.” Chin. J. Rock Mech. Eng. 25 (z2): 4126–4131.
Liu, T., X. Li, Y. Zheng, Y. Luo, Y. Guo, G. Cheng, and Z. Zhang. 2020. “Study on S-wave propagation through parallel rock joints under in situ stress.” Waves Random Complex Medium 2: 1–24.
Liu, Y., H. Xiao, K. Yao, J. Hu, and H. Wei. 2018. “Rock–soil slope stability analysis by two-phase random media and finite elements.” Geosci. Front. 9 (6): 1649–1655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2017.10.007.
Lo, C. M. 2015. “Cliff retreat and progressive development of talus deposits in Hungtsaiping rockfall area, NanTou, Taiwan.” Landslides 12 (1): 29–54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-013-0459-4.
Lo, C. M., M. L. Lin, W. C. Lee, Y. C. Chan, and C. H. Yeh. 2010. “Cliff recession and progressive development of talus deposits around Xiangshan of the Taipei Sishou Hills.” Terr. Atmos. Oceanic Sci. 21 (3): 543–561. https://doi.org/10.3319/TAO.2009.10.26.01(TH).
Lu, C., and C. Cai. 2019. “Challenges and countermeasures for construction safety during the Sichuan–Tibet Railway Project.” Engineering 5 (5): 833–838.
Niu, F., G. Cheng, W. Ni, and D. Jin. 2005. “Engineering-related slope failure in permafrost regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.” Cold Reg. Sci. Technol. 42 (3): 215–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coldregions.2005.02.002.
Park, D., and R. L. Michalowski. 2017. “Three-dimensional stability analysis of slopes in hard soil/soft rock with tensile strength cut-off.” Eng. Geol. 229: 73–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2017.09.018.
Petroccia, A., M. Bonasera, F. Caso, S. Nerone, M. Morelli, D. Bormioli, and G. Moletta. 2020. “Structural and geomorphological framework of the upper Maira Valley (Western Alps, Italy): The case study of the Gollone Landslide.” J. Maps 16 (2): 534–542. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2020.1784806.
Stead, D., and E. Eberhardt. 1997. “Developments in the analysis of footwall slopes in surface coal mining.” Eng. Geol. 46 (1): 41–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-7952(96)00084-1.
Stead, D., and A. Wolter. 2015. “A critical review of rock slope failure mechanisms: The importance of structural geology.” J. Struct. Geol. 74: 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2015.02.002.
Sturzenegger, M., and D. Stead. 2012. “The Palliser Rockslide, Canadian Rocky Mountains: Characterization and modeling of a stepped failure surface.” Geomorphology 138 (1): 145–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.09.001.
Sturzenegger, M., D. Stead, J. Gosse, B. Ward, and C. Froese. 2015. “Reconstruction of the history of the Palliser Rockslide based on 36Cl terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide dating and debris volume estimations.” Landslides 12 (6): 1097–1106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-014-0527-4.
Subramanian, S. S., T. Ishikawa, and T. Tokoro. 2017. “Stability assessment approach for soil slopes in seasonal cold regions.” Eng. Geol. 221: 154–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2017.03.008.
Sun, C., C. Chen, Y. Zheng, Z. Lu, and Y. Deng. 2019a. “Discussion on slope stability analysis method of abandoned dreg site based on spatial effect.” J. Southwest Jiaotong Univ. 54 (1): 97–105.
Sun, C., C. Chen, Y. Zheng, and K. Xia. 2020. “Limit-equilibrium analysis of stability of footwall slope with respect to biplanar failure.” Int. J. Geomech. 20 (1): 04019137. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001523.
Sun, C., C. Chen, Y. Zheng, W. Zhang, and F. Liu. 2019b. “Numerical and theoretical study of biplanar failure in footwall slopes.” Eng. Geol. 260: 105234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2019.105234.
Sun, S., P. Xu, J. Wu, J. Wei, W. Fu, J. Liu, and D. P. Kanungo. 2014. “Strength parameter identification and application of soil–rock mixture for steep-walled talus slopes in southwestern China.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 73 (1): 123–140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-013-0524-1.
Tang, H., R. Yong, and M. A. M. E. Eldin. 2017. “Stability analysis of stratified rock slopes with spatially variable strength parameters: The case of Qianjiangping landslide.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 76 (3): 839–853. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-016-0876-4.
Tanyas, H., and R. Ulusay. 2013. “Assessment of structurally-controlled slope failure mechanisms and remedial design considerations at a feldspar open pit mine, western Turkey.” Eng. Geol. 155: 54–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2012.12.017.
Thapa, P., Y. E. Martin, and E. A. Johnson. 2017. “Quantification of controls on regional rockfall activity and talus deposition, Kananaskis, Canadian Rockies.” Geomorphology 299: 107–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2017.09.039.
Veilleux, S., N. Bhiry, and A. Decaulne. 2020. “Talus slope characterization in Tasiapik Valley (subarctic Québec): Evidence of past and present slope processes.” Geomorphology 349: 106911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2019.106911.
Wang, L., X. Zhang, and S. Tinti. 2021. “Large deformation dynamic analysis of progressive failure in layered clayey slopes under seismic loading using the particle finite element method.” Acta Geotech. 16: 2435–2448.
Wu, R., Y. Zhang, C. Guo, Z. Yang, J. Tang, and F. Su. 2020. “Landslide susceptibility assessment in mountainous area: A case study of Sichuan–Tibet railway, China.” Environ. Earth Sci. 79 (6): 1–16.
Wyllie, D. C., and C. Mah. 2004. Rock slope engineering. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Xia, M., G. M. Ren, Q. S. Xu, W. X. Fu, S. W. Li, and X. W. You. 2018. “Geologic structure, mechanism, and conditions for rock topples on cataclinal slope, Jinchuan, China.” Geomatics Nat. Hazards Risk 9 (1): 1006–1018. https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2018.1498028.
Xu, W. J., Y. J. Wang, Z. Y. Chen, and R. L. Hu. 2008. “Stability analysis of soil–rock mixed slope based on digital image technology.” Rock Soil Mech. 28 (S1): 341–346.
Yang, Y., G. Sun, and H. Zheng. 2019. “Stability analysis of soil–rock-mixture slopes using the numerical manifold method.” Eng. Anal. Boundary Elem. 109: 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enganabound.2019.09.020.
Yang, Y., W. Wu, and H. Zheng. 2021. “Stability analysis of slopes using the vector sum numerical manifold method.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 80: 345–352. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-01903-x.
Yang, Y., D. Xu, F. Liu, and H. Zheng. 2020. “Modeling the entire progressive failure process of rock slopes using a strength-based criterion.” Comput. Geotech. 126: 103726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103726.
Yin, Y., P. Sun, M. Zhang, and B. Li. 2011. “Mechanism on apparent dip sliding of oblique inclined bedding rockslide at Jiweishan, Chongqing, China.” Landslides 8 (1): 49–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-010-0237-5.
Zheng, Y., C. Chen, T. Liu, and Z. Ren. 2021. “A new method of assessing the stability of anti-dip bedding rock slopes subjected to earthquake.” Bull. Eng. Geol. Environ. 80: 3693–3710. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-021-02188-4.
Zheng, Y., C. Chen, T. Liu, H. Zhang, K. Xia, and F. Liu. 2018. “Study on the mechanisms of flexural toppling failure in anti-inclined rock slopes using numerical and limit equilibrium models.” Eng. Geol. 237: 116–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.02.006.
Zheng, Y., Z. Chen, G. Wang, and T. Ling. 2010. Engineering treatment of slope and landslide. 2nd ed. Beijing: China Communications Press.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 21 • Issue 11 • November 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 6, 2021
Accepted: Jul 15, 2021
Published online: Sep 15, 2021
Published in print: Nov 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Feb 15, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Chaoyi Sun, Congxin Chen, Wei Zhang, He Liu, Haina Zhang, Xugen Song, Stability of bolt-supported concealed bedding rock slopes with respect to bi-planar failure, Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, 10.1007/s10064-023-03131-5, 82, 4, (2023).
- Chaoyi Sun, Congxin Chen, Yun Zheng, Kaizong Xia, Zhanghao Ren, Assessing the Stability of Dip Slopes Based on Analyzing the Stress at a Key Point on the Sliding Surface, International Journal of Geomechanics, 10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0002548, 22, 9, (2022).
- Chaoyi Sun, Congxin Chen, Yun Zheng, Jiahao Yuan, Assessing the Stability of Cable-Reinforced High Bedding Rock Slopes against Rotational Bi-planar Failure, Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 10.1007/s00603-022-03156-4, (2022).