Mechanism of lateral resistance in obliquely inclined bedding rockslides: a case study of the Shanyang rockslide

Abstract

Obliquely inclined bedding rockslides are prone to severe casualties and great economic loss for its less visible apparent dip slide. The lateral resistance is key to understanding the failure mechanism of obliquely inclined bedding rockslides. Nevertheless, few studies have conducted detailed and in-depth analyses of the lateral resistance mechanism of obliquely inclined bedding rockslides. To elucidate the lateral resistance mechanism of obliquely inclined bedding rockslides, a numerical model of the Shanyang rockslide in Shaanxi Province is constructed to simulate and analyze the deformation process in this study by means of UAV aerial imagery, field surveys, geotechnical parameter laboratory tests, and 3DEC software. The results show that the rockslide manifested as apparent dip slide from bedding creep along the weak interlayer under the diminishment of the lateral resistance caused by the karst dissolution, ultimately culminating in the apparent dip slide-buckling failure, and that the lateral resistance serves as the primary slide resistance maintaining the stability of the rockslide, playing a pivotal role in controlling the failure mechanism characterized by the apparent dip creep-buckling in obliquely inclined bedding rockslides. The studies not only elucidate the lateral resistance mechanism of obliquely inclined bedding rockslides, but also establish a scientific basis for developing early-warning monitoring systems, optimizing the geo-hazard mitigation strategies, and formulating the risk prevention frameworks for obliquely inclined bedding rockslides.