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Rock slope deformation mechanism in the Cihaxia Hydropower Station, Northwest China

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Abstract

Complex block-flexure slope toppling is observed in interbedded sandstone and slate in the upper Yellow River, China. Block toppling is observed in the relatively hard sandstone and flexural toppling is observed in the relatively soft slate. The evolution of toppling slope deformation is characterized by long-term progress and spatial variability. In order to study these characteristics, field investigations, adit prospecting, borehole drilling, sonic tests and numerical simulation were carried out. In addition, the effect of the structure, the composite mode of the rock mass, the unloading fissures and geomorphology are discussed. Furthermore, we explored the toppling mechanisms and simulated it numerically; on this basis, the slope evolution is divided into four stages. Results obtained from the numerical simulation compared well with field investigation data (investigation data, rock sonic survey and strata dip statistics). Comparative studies have demonstrated that the analytical methods presented in this paper are appropriate for back analysis of the toppling evolution process. The result showed that this toppling slope has not yet entered the later progressivity failure stage and is currently limited to collapse at shallow levels, whereas the deep-seated rock mass will remain stable for a long time. This study might provide reference for a stability evaluation and hazard prevention analysis for rock toppling.

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Acknowledgments

This research was sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China under contract number 2012BAK10B02. The authors express their sincere thanks to the anonymous reviewers and editor for their invaluable help and guidance throughout this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, China

    Zelin Zhang, Shuren Wu, Tao Wang & Changyu Liang

  2. China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China

    Zelin Zhang & Huiming Tang

  3. Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China

    Gao Liu & Gaoyong Li

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  1. Zelin Zhang
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  2. Gao Liu
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  3. Shuren Wu
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  4. Huiming Tang
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  5. Tao Wang
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  6. Gaoyong Li
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  7. Changyu Liang
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Correspondence to Zelin Zhang.

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Zhang, Z., Liu, G., Wu, S. et al. Rock slope deformation mechanism in the Cihaxia Hydropower Station, Northwest China. Bull Eng Geol Environ 74, 943–958 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0672-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-014-0672-y

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