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Three-dimensional distinct element modelling and dynamic runout analysis of a landslide in gneissic rock, British Columbia, Canada

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Abstract

The McAuley Creek Landslide is a 6 million m3 gneissic rock slope failure that occurred in British Columbia (Canada) in late May–early June 2002. The geological strength index was used to characterize the quality of the overall rock mass and its reduced (damaged) quality near tectonic structures and alteration zones. Potential slope failure mechanisms were investigated using four analysis techniques including: kinematic analysis, surface wedge limit equilibrium (combination) analysis, block theory and three-dimensional distinct element models. Results from all four analyses suggested that the dominant slope failure mechanism was wedge sliding along the intersection of the gneissic foliation and a steeply dipping discontinuity set striking perpendicular to the slope. Of the 6 million m3 of material involved in the landslide, an estimated 5 million m3 was deposited immediately below the source area against the opposite valley wall, with the remaining 1 million m3 travelling an additional 1.6 km downstream. The runout behaviour was investigated using a three-dimensional dynamic analysis code.

Résumé

Le glissement de terrain de McAuley Creek est un glissement rocheux de 6 millions de m3 dans des roches gneissiques qui eut lieu en Colombie-Britannique (Canada) en fin mai-début juin 2002. L’indice GSI (Geological Strength Index) a été utilisé pour caractériser la qualité d’ensemble de la masse rocheuse et la qualité réduite à proximité de structures tectonisées et de zones altérées. Des mécanismes de rupture potentielle ont été étudiés à partir d’une analyse cinématique de stabilité, une analyse de stabilité de dièdres suivant la théorie des équilibres limites, des modélisations basées sur la théorie des blocs et sur la méthode tridimensionnelle des éléments distincts. Les quatre méthodes ont conduit à la conclusion que le mécanisme principal contrôlant la rupture a été un glissement de dièdre le long de la ligne d’intersection des surfaces de foliation des gneiss avec une famille directionnelle de discontinuités orientée perpendiculairement à la pente. Parmi les 6 millions de m3 de matériaux concernés par le glissement de terrain, un volume estimé à 5 millions de m3 s’est déposé immédiatement au pied de la zone source contre le versant opposé de la vallée, le volume restant, de 1 million de m3, se déplaçant sur une distance supplémentaire de 1,6 km vers l’aval. Le comportement des matériaux durant cette phase de transport a été étudié à partir d’un code d’analyse dynamique tridimensionnelle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environment, University of Auckland, 23 Symonds Street, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand

    Marc-André Brideau

  2. BGC Engineering Inc., Vancouver, Canada

    Scott McDougall

  3. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada

    Doug Stead

  4. University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada

    Steve G. Evans

  5. Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Canada

    Réjean Couture

  6. Westrek Geotechnical Services Ltd., Kamloops, Canada

    Kevin Turner

Authors
  1. Marc-André Brideau
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  2. Scott McDougall
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  3. Doug Stead
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  4. Steve G. Evans
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  5. Réjean Couture
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  6. Kevin Turner
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Correspondence to Marc-André Brideau.

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Brideau, MA., McDougall, S., Stead, D. et al. Three-dimensional distinct element modelling and dynamic runout analysis of a landslide in gneissic rock, British Columbia, Canada. Bull Eng Geol Environ 71, 467–486 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-012-0417-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-012-0417-8

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