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Investigation of the failure mechanism and stabilization of a landslide in weathered tuffite, Giresun, northeastern Turkey

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Abstract

This study investigates the causes and failure mechanism of the Aksu landslide that occurred during the construction of the Giresun–Espiye road between KM: 1 + 030–1 + 170 in northern Turkey and recommends proper stabilization techniques. For the purpose of investigating the causes and mechanism of this slope failure, engineering geological mapping, geotechnical investigation and rock mass characterization were performed. From top to bottom, weathered tuffite, tuffite, flysch, and dacitic tuffite were the major units in the study area. The disturbance of the slope by the excavations performed at the toe of the slope (i.e., due to the foundation excavation for the Tünel restaurant building and for the road cut) led to a “translational slide”. The “translational slide” occurred in completely weathered tuffite due to the disturbance of the stability of the slope by the excavations performed at the toe of the slope, particularly for the foundation excavation of the Tünel restaurant building and for the road cut along the Giresun–Espiye road. The rise in the groundwater level was also another important factor that has contributed to the occurrence of the landslide. After establishing the geometry of the landslide in detail, the shear strength parameters of the failure surface were determined by the back analysis method. Sensitivity analyses were performed and landslide failure mechanisms were modeled to quantify the contributing factors that have caused the formation of the Aksu landslide. The influence of an earthquake was investigated through pseudostatic slope stability analysis. Toe buttressing, ground water drainage, and surface water drainage alternatives were considered for stabilizing the slope.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to Mr. Hasan Özaslan of Yüksel Project International, Inc. for his kind assistance throughout the project. The authors are thankful to Dr. Kıvanç Okalp for his assistance in drafting Figs. 3 and 8.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Engineering, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla, Turkey

    Özgür Avşar

  2. Geotechnology Unit, Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey

    Haluk Akgün

  3. Earthquake Engineering Implementation and Research Center, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

    Mustafa Kerem Koçkar

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  1. Özgür Avşar
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  2. Haluk Akgün
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  3. Mustafa Kerem Koçkar
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Correspondence to Haluk Akgün.

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Avşar, Ö., Akgün, H. & Koçkar, M.K. Investigation of the failure mechanism and stabilization of a landslide in weathered tuffite, Giresun, northeastern Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 72, 3723–3740 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3323-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3323-5

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