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Deep-Seated Slope Failures Induced by Inappropriate Cutting in China

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Abstract

Given insufficient geological investigation and inadequate interpretation of geological settings, remedial works for localized cut slope collapses may induce large-scale failures and cause remarkable damage, as well as economical loss. A number of recent reports have addressed individual large-scale failures due to inappropriate cutting, but the systematic classification of failure patterns has received less attention. In this study, a re-profiling triggered landslide is described in detail. The deep slip surface is located by field measurements; then, the stability of the slope before and after cutting is assessed with the limit equilibrium method. Three types of slopes prone to deep-seated failures are introduced: the loose deposits type, the ancient landslide type, and the deep adverse discontinuities type. The mechanism of each failure pattern is illustrated with a case study. The stability analyses indicate that inappropriate slope profiling may greatly reduce the factor of safety (FS) of a slope. Recommendations are given for mitigating the deep-seated landslide induced by inappropriate cutting, and a case history of successful measures is presented.

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Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (40972187) and the Key Innovation Team Support project of Zhejiang Province (2009R50050).

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Correspondence to Yu Zhao.

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Sun, HY., Zhao, Y., Shang, YQ. et al. Deep-Seated Slope Failures Induced by Inappropriate Cutting in China. Rock Mech Rock Eng 45, 1103–1111 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-012-0292-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-012-0292-4

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