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Freeze-thaw cycle effects on granite and the formation mechanism of long-runout landslides: insights from the Luanshibao case study in the Tibetan Plateau, China

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Abstract

The Tibetan Plateau is susceptible to large-scale long-runout landslides during freeze-thaw cycles. The Luanshibao (LSB) long-runout landslide in Litang County, China, serves as a notable example. This study investigates the granite mechanical properties under freeze-thaw cycles effects in the LSB landslide initiation zone, by the methods of mechanical tests, NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) tests, triaxial rock mechanics tests, and FLAC3D simulations. Results show that the granite’s internal structure damage intensifies with increasing freeze-thaw cycles. Single rock wave velocity notably decreases from 3.60–4.09 km/s (0 cycles) to 2.12–3.11 km/s (30 cycles). freeze-thaw cycles enlarge fissure size and scope, evident in increased FID peak values from 1223–1162 (no freeze cycles) to 1307–1447 (freeze-thaw cycles). Granite’s compressive strength, elastic modulus, peak strength, residual strength, and volume strain gradually decrease with more freeze-thaw cycles, while Poisson’s ratio remains relatively stable. Numerical simulations demonstrate decreased slope stability with increasing freeze-thaw cycles, resulting in an arc-shaped shear penetration surface at the top of the LSB landslide when reaching 50 cycles. These findings suggest that freeze-thaw cycles weaken the mechanical properties of granite, thereby establishing the fundamental conditions for the occurrence of long-runout landslides. Additionally, external forces like earthquakes can trigger a chain reaction: earthquake → high-position rock or ice avalanche → landslide collapse and hit the ground → high-speed debris flow. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the impact of freeze-thaw cycle intensity on the formation of long-runout landslides worldwide.

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Data availability

Data cannot be shared publicly because of the policy of my institute. The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The rock mechanical tests were carried out in the Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. The authors would like to thank Prof. Jiazuo Zhou, from the Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, for his help in the rock mechanical tests, and thanks to Prof. Shifeng Wang, Prof. Xihai Wang, graduate students Ruiduan Zhang, and Xiaoxiao Fu, from the Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, China, for their help in the geology survey and data analysis. And thanks to Prof. Huimei Zhang from Xi’an University of Science and Technology, China, for the useful rock mechanic experiment discussion.

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41941017, 41731287) and the China Geological Survey (Nos. DD20221816, DD20190319).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geomechanics, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China

    Changbao Guo, Yongshuang Zhang, Yanan Zhang, Zhongkang Wu, Xiang Li, Ruian Wu, Yiqiu Yan, Zhendong Qiu, Sanshao Ren & Wenbo Zhao

  2. Key Laboratory of Active Tectonics and Geological Safety, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100081, China

    Changbao Guo, Xiang Li & Ruian Wu

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  1. Changbao Guo
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Contributions

Guo, C. B., and Zhang, Y. S., framed the study plan and wrote the paper. Guo, C. B.; Wu, R. A.; Yan, Y. Q.; and Ren, S. S., participated in the field investigation; Wu, Z. K., and Li, X., conducted experimental testing and analysis and numerical simulation; Zhang, Y. N.; Qiu, Z. D.; and Zhao, W. B., conducted comprehensive analysis and image processing. Correspondence and requests for materials could be addressed to Guo, C.B. (guochangbao@cags.ac.cn).

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Correspondence to Changbao Guo.

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Guo, C., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y. et al. Freeze-thaw cycle effects on granite and the formation mechanism of long-runout landslides: insights from the Luanshibao case study in the Tibetan Plateau, China. Bull Eng Geol Environ 82, 394 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03427-6

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