Pub Date : 2025-12-26DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108522
Mingming Ren , Yuxiang Ding , Jie Hu , Wentao Wang , Gang Ma , Manchao He
This study develops an automated framework for extracting rock mass structural information from point cloud data, including discontinuity orientations, traces, surface areas, and block volumes. The workflow comprises three main modules: (1) discontinuity segmentation, (2) identification of co-block discontinuities, and (3) geometric reconstruction of blocks. A growth algorithm based on orientation buckets and depth-first search (DFS) is implemented to aggregate planar segments with similar orientations. A vertex interpolation procedure is further employed to refine block boundaries using geometric relationships between adjacent discontinuities. The method is applied to a highway slope dataset to evaluate its performance. The results show that the reconstructed blocks accurately represent field-observed structures, and the extracted parameters, such as block size, location, and stability indicators-can be quantitatively used for rockfall source analysis and engineering assessment.
{"title":"Automatic characterization of rock blocks in jointed exposures using 3D point clouds","authors":"Mingming Ren , Yuxiang Ding , Jie Hu , Wentao Wang , Gang Ma , Manchao He","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108522","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108522","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study develops an automated framework for extracting rock mass structural information from point cloud data, including discontinuity orientations, traces, surface areas, and block volumes. The workflow comprises three main modules: (1) discontinuity segmentation, (2) identification of co-block discontinuities, and (3) geometric reconstruction of blocks. A growth algorithm based on orientation buckets and depth-first search (DFS) is implemented to aggregate planar segments with similar orientations. A vertex interpolation procedure is further employed to refine block boundaries using geometric relationships between adjacent discontinuities. The method is applied to a highway slope dataset to evaluate its performance. The results show that the reconstructed blocks accurately represent field-observed structures, and the extracted parameters, such as block size, location, and stability indicators-can be quantitatively used for rockfall source analysis and engineering assessment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 108522"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145845302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108529
Namgwon Kim , Zoe K. Shipton , Yannick Kremer , Christopher D. Jack
In rock engineering, understanding variability in rock mass properties is essential for planning engineering mitigations. The differences between engineering and geological approaches to characterizing rock masses can result in varying estimates of mechanical and/or hydraulic properties. This study applies these approaches in parallel: mapping geological domains, fracture traces and Q-values. The aim is to reveal the relationship between variability in geological and engineering parameters at a case study site in the Torcastle block, a fault-bounded sliver within the Great Glen Fault (GGF) that has a complex internal architecture. Distinct geological domains are defined based on lithology (including two generations of dyke intrusion), foliation, faults, and fracture pattern. Fractures are classified into several geometrical categories mainly based on geometrical relationships with local faults and foliations: foliation-parallel, foliation-bounded, foliation-crossing, and ladder-like fractures. Their spatial distribution correlates with the local trend of pre-existing foliations and dykes. For the engineering characterisation we used Q-value mapping, modified for surface conditions, with a moving window approach. Low Q-value zones are spatially heterogeneous but concordant with areas of high fracture density and intersections (topological X and Y nodes), typically associated with: (1) major shear or fault strands and embedded blocks; (2) intruded igneous dykes; (3) areas where faults with different orientations abut; and (4) highly rotated blocks showing re-oriented local foliations. Cross-plots of Q-value against geological fracture and engineering parameters notably reveal that increased fracture connectivity and orientation variability contribute to low Q-values, resulting from abundant foliation-crossing fractures in highly rotated blocks with relatively low fracture density. The geological and engineering variabilities in the Torcastle block highlight the close interplay between the geological deformation history and resultant rock mass conditions. We argue that combining detailed structural geological insight into engineering rock mass characterisation will result in more robust forecasting of engineering properties in rock masses, thereby reducing geotechnical risks.
{"title":"Comparing geological process-based and engineering data-based approaches to characterizing rock mass heterogeneities: Insights from the Great Glen Fault, Scotland","authors":"Namgwon Kim , Zoe K. Shipton , Yannick Kremer , Christopher D. Jack","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108529","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108529","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In rock engineering, understanding variability in rock mass properties is essential for planning engineering mitigations. The differences between engineering and geological approaches to characterizing rock masses can result in varying estimates of mechanical and/or hydraulic properties. This study applies these approaches in parallel: mapping geological domains, fracture traces and Q-values. The aim is to reveal the relationship between variability in geological and engineering parameters at a case study site in the Torcastle block, a fault-bounded sliver within the Great Glen Fault (GGF) that has a complex internal architecture. Distinct geological domains are defined based on lithology (including two generations of dyke intrusion), foliation, faults, and fracture pattern. Fractures are classified into several geometrical categories mainly based on geometrical relationships with local faults and foliations: foliation-parallel, foliation-bounded, foliation-crossing, and ladder-like fractures. Their spatial distribution correlates with the local trend of pre-existing foliations and dykes. For the engineering characterisation we used Q-value mapping, modified for surface conditions, with a moving window approach. Low Q-value zones are spatially heterogeneous but concordant with areas of high fracture density and intersections (topological X and Y nodes), typically associated with: (1) major shear or fault strands and embedded blocks; (2) intruded igneous dykes; (3) areas where faults with different orientations abut; and (4) highly rotated blocks showing re-oriented local foliations. Cross-plots of Q-value against geological fracture and engineering parameters notably reveal that increased fracture connectivity and orientation variability contribute to low Q-values, resulting from abundant foliation-crossing fractures in highly rotated blocks with relatively low fracture density. The geological and engineering variabilities in the Torcastle block highlight the close interplay between the geological deformation history and resultant rock mass conditions. We argue that combining detailed structural geological insight into engineering rock mass characterisation will result in more robust forecasting of engineering properties in rock masses, thereby reducing geotechnical risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 108529"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145845304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108519
Yonghao Zhou , Xueqiang Gong , Xiewen Hu , Kun He , Jiangkun Rong , Ruichen Zhou
The Hengduan Mountains of China are characterized by strong tectonism and complex geomorphic environments, resulting in pronounced variability in post-fire debris-flow processes across different lithologies. Despite this heterogeneity, few studies have systematically examined lithology-controlled variability, particularly regarding the long-term spatiotemporal evolution of post-fire debris flows. This study investigates three fire-affected sites—Muli, Xichang, and Zhongba—that share similar geographic settings and synchronous fire timing but differ markedly in lithology. Field surveys, UAV photogrammetry, and SBAS-InSAR were were jointly employed to quantitatively assess pre- and post-fire ground deformation and hillslope erosion across these contrasting lithological settings. Results demonstrate distinct contrasts in debris-flow activity and hillslope deformation among the three sites, revealing the mechanisms that govern long-term debris-flow evolution. The Muli site, underlain by metamorphic rock, exhibited the most frequent and intense post-fire debris flows, far exceeding those in Xichang and Zhongba. Post-fire hillslope erosion in Muli increased to 4–18 times pre-fire levels, and accelerated deformation zones (DADZs) developed along both channel banks with evident erosional features. In contrast, Xichang and Zhongba showed no significant increases in erosion or deformation. These findings indicate that slope structural configurations shaped by lithological and geomorphic factors exert a dominant control on sediment transport efficiency and debris availability, and in turn govern post-fire erosional and deformational processes. In Muli, enhanced post-fire erosion and DADZ development sustain long-term debris-flow activity, with the deformational response of the metamorphic terrain providing a continuous sediment supply. This study advances understanding of lithology-controlled variability in post-fire debris-flow dynamics and offers valuable insights for hazard mitigation in the Hengduan Mountains and similar high-relief regions.
{"title":"Deciphering the relationship between post-fire ground deformation and debris flow activity influenced by lithological heterogeneity: Insights from a comparative analysis in southwestern China","authors":"Yonghao Zhou , Xueqiang Gong , Xiewen Hu , Kun He , Jiangkun Rong , Ruichen Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108519","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108519","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Hengduan Mountains of China are characterized by strong tectonism and complex geomorphic environments, resulting in pronounced variability in post-fire debris-flow processes across different lithologies. Despite this heterogeneity, few studies have systematically examined lithology-controlled variability, particularly regarding the long-term spatiotemporal evolution of post-fire debris flows. This study investigates three fire-affected sites—Muli, Xichang, and Zhongba—that share similar geographic settings and synchronous fire timing but differ markedly in lithology. Field surveys, UAV photogrammetry, and SBAS-InSAR were were jointly employed to quantitatively assess pre- and post-fire ground deformation and hillslope erosion across these contrasting lithological settings. Results demonstrate distinct contrasts in debris-flow activity and hillslope deformation among the three sites, revealing the mechanisms that govern long-term debris-flow evolution. The Muli site, underlain by metamorphic rock, exhibited the most frequent and intense post-fire debris flows, far exceeding those in Xichang and Zhongba. Post-fire hillslope erosion in Muli increased to 4–18 times pre-fire levels, and accelerated deformation zones (DADZs) developed along both channel banks with evident erosional features. In contrast, Xichang and Zhongba showed no significant increases in erosion or deformation. These findings indicate that slope structural configurations shaped by lithological and geomorphic factors exert a dominant control on sediment transport efficiency and debris availability, and in turn govern post-fire erosional and deformational processes. In Muli, enhanced post-fire erosion and DADZ development sustain long-term debris-flow activity, with the deformational response of the metamorphic terrain providing a continuous sediment supply. This study advances understanding of lithology-controlled variability in post-fire debris-flow dynamics and offers valuable insights for hazard mitigation in the Hengduan Mountains and similar high-relief regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 108519"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145823487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108521
Yunshan Xu , Jiangtao Tao , Changjie Zheng , De'’an Sun
The thermal conductivity characteristics of bentonite blocks with filled joints directly influence the temperature field distribution and safety assessment within the repository. In this study, the thermal conductivity of compacted bentonite powder and joint-filled specimens was tested using the thermal needle probe method under a wide range of temperatures (20–90 °C) and pressures (0–20 MPa). A series of microstructural analyses were also conducted on representative specimens to investigate the potential influence and microscopic mechanisms of joint type and width on bentonite thermal conductivity under complex buffer conditions. Tested results show that at room temperature, the thermal conductivity of joint-filled specimens is up to approximately 27.01 % lower than that of compacted powder specimens (without joints), which is attributed to the larger total porosity and dominant pore size in joint-filled specimens leading to insufficient particle contact. The temperature effect on thermal conductivity of joint-filled specimens is significantly greater than that of specimens without joints. With increasing joint width, the thermal conductivity of joint-filled specimens decreases, while the temperature effect correspondingly increases. This is mainly because the joint-filled specimens have more pores and dominant heat transfer paths favorable for latent heat transfer of vapour. Pressure increases the thermal conductivity of all specimen types but weakens the temperature effect on thermal conductivity, with this weakening effect becoming more pronounced as joint width increases. High pressure may disrupt the dominant paths for latent heat transfer of vapour, while larger joint widths increase both the dominant inter-aggregate pore size and number, thereby enhancing the temperature effect and its attenuation under pressure.
{"title":"Coupled thermal and pressure effects on thermal conductivity of joint-filled bentonite in engineered barrier systems","authors":"Yunshan Xu , Jiangtao Tao , Changjie Zheng , De'’an Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108521","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108521","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The thermal conductivity characteristics of bentonite blocks with filled joints directly influence the temperature field distribution and safety assessment within the repository. In this study, the thermal conductivity of compacted bentonite powder and joint-filled specimens was tested using the thermal needle probe method under a wide range of temperatures (20–90 °C) and pressures (0–20 MPa). A series of microstructural analyses were also conducted on representative specimens to investigate the potential influence and microscopic mechanisms of joint type and width on bentonite thermal conductivity under complex buffer conditions. Tested results show that at room temperature, the thermal conductivity of joint-filled specimens is up to approximately 27.01 % lower than that of compacted powder specimens (without joints), which is attributed to the larger total porosity and dominant pore size in joint-filled specimens leading to insufficient particle contact. The temperature effect on thermal conductivity of joint-filled specimens is significantly greater than that of specimens without joints. With increasing joint width, the thermal conductivity of joint-filled specimens decreases, while the temperature effect correspondingly increases. This is mainly because the joint-filled specimens have more pores and dominant heat transfer paths favorable for latent heat transfer of vapour. Pressure increases the thermal conductivity of all specimen types but weakens the temperature effect on thermal conductivity, with this weakening effect becoming more pronounced as joint width increases. High pressure may disrupt the dominant paths for latent heat transfer of vapour, while larger joint widths increase both the dominant inter-aggregate pore size and number, thereby enhancing the temperature effect and its attenuation under pressure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 108521"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145823486","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108517
Ergin Gökkaya , Francisco Gutiérrez , Esra Tunçel
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Spatial-temporal patterns of sinkhole development in the Konya Basin, Türkiye. Implications for susceptibility and time-variant hazard assessment” [Engineering Geology 360 (2026) 108480]","authors":"Ergin Gökkaya , Francisco Gutiérrez , Esra Tunçel","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108517","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108517","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"361 ","pages":"Article 108517"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145823491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-22DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108518
Wei Wei , Yongjie Ding , Haoming Wang , Xinxin Cao
Soda residue, a common industrial by-product, poses risks of land-use conflict and environmental contamination when stockpiled. This study evaluates its potential use in three stabilized soil systems: cement–slag red clay, gray sandy soil, and yellow silt soil, together with their alkali-activated variants. Macro-mechanical tests and microstructural analyses were conducted to clarify its effects on hydration and skeleton development. SEM and XRD results show that soda residue promotes the synergistic formation of C-S-H gel and AFt, producing four distinct skeletal contact types. Mechanical tests indicate that adding 15 % soda residue increased the 28-day compressive strength of gray sandy soil by 9.7 % and alkali-activated yellow silt soil by 28.5 %, but reduced that of red clay by 19.6 %. Drying shrinkage tests showed marked reductions in red clay and yellow silt soil. Freeze–thaw tests further demonstrated that soda residue enhanced durability in coarse-textured soils, whereas fine-grained red clay exhibited relatively lower resistance. Mechanistic analysis suggests that soda residue stabilizes soils by adjusting pH, accelerating hydration, and improving skeleton continuity and interfacial bonding. These findings indicate the potential feasibility of using soda residue to stabilize weak soils and may provide theoretical support for developing sustainable stabilization materials in geotechnical and infrastructure engineering.
{"title":"Effect of soda residue on Skeleton formation and strength development in soil stabilization","authors":"Wei Wei , Yongjie Ding , Haoming Wang , Xinxin Cao","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108518","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108518","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soda residue, a common industrial by-product, poses risks of land-use conflict and environmental contamination when stockpiled. This study evaluates its potential use in three stabilized soil systems: cement–slag red clay, gray sandy soil, and yellow silt soil, together with their alkali-activated variants. Macro-mechanical tests and microstructural analyses were conducted to clarify its effects on hydration and skeleton development. SEM and XRD results show that soda residue promotes the synergistic formation of C-S-H gel and AFt, producing four distinct skeletal contact types. Mechanical tests indicate that adding 15 % soda residue increased the 28-day compressive strength of gray sandy soil by 9.7 % and alkali-activated yellow silt soil by 28.5 %, but reduced that of red clay by 19.6 %. Drying shrinkage tests showed marked reductions in red clay and yellow silt soil. Freeze–thaw tests further demonstrated that soda residue enhanced durability in coarse-textured soils, whereas fine-grained red clay exhibited relatively lower resistance. Mechanistic analysis suggests that soda residue stabilizes soils by adjusting pH, accelerating hydration, and improving skeleton continuity and interfacial bonding. These findings indicate the potential feasibility of using soda residue to stabilize weak soils and may provide theoretical support for developing sustainable stabilization materials in geotechnical and infrastructure engineering.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"362 ","pages":"Article 108518"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145813830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108516
Zhengbin Liu , Shuai Wang , Shuwei Wu , Jianbo Guo , Yiwei Mao , Zeren Chen , Qingxue Huang
Accurately setting the friction coefficient between rock particles is a critical prerequisite for ensuring the validity of dynamic mechanical behavior simulations of rocks. The geometric and physical parameters of rock particles have complex effects on the friction coefficient. However, existing calibration methods often have limitations in terms of precision, efficiency, and applicability. To address these issues, this study proposes a novel calibration method for the friction coefficient of rock particles, which integrates sphero-polyhedron modeling techniques with a data-driven strategy. The method uses the angle of repose (AOR) as a reference for quantitative analysis, considering the influence of the particle geometric parameters and material physical properties on the friction coefficient. By constructing a discrete element simulation database and generating a sample dataset, a mapping relationship is established with AOR and vertical aspect ratios as inputs, and the static friction coefficient, dynamic friction coefficient, and rolling resistance coefficient as outputs. This enables rapid calibration of the friction coefficient through a data-driven approach. The experimental results show that the proposed method not only achieves excellent accuracy but also demonstrates strong generalizability, providing a new approach for determining the friction coefficient in rock particle simulation analysis and offering valuable support for geotechnical engineering analysis.
{"title":"A data-driven calibration method for the friction coefficients between rock particles","authors":"Zhengbin Liu , Shuai Wang , Shuwei Wu , Jianbo Guo , Yiwei Mao , Zeren Chen , Qingxue Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108516","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108516","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurately setting the friction coefficient between rock particles is a critical prerequisite for ensuring the validity of dynamic mechanical behavior simulations of rocks. The geometric and physical parameters of rock particles have complex effects on the friction coefficient. However, existing calibration methods often have limitations in terms of precision, efficiency, and applicability. To address these issues, this study proposes a novel calibration method for the friction coefficient of rock particles, which integrates sphero-polyhedron modeling techniques with a data-driven strategy. The method uses the angle of repose (AOR) as a reference for quantitative analysis, considering the influence of the particle geometric parameters and material physical properties on the friction coefficient. By constructing a discrete element simulation database and generating a sample dataset, a mapping relationship is established with AOR and vertical aspect ratios as inputs, and the static friction coefficient, dynamic friction coefficient, and rolling resistance coefficient as outputs. This enables rapid calibration of the friction coefficient through a data-driven approach. The experimental results show that the proposed method not only achieves excellent accuracy but also demonstrates strong generalizability, providing a new approach for determining the friction coefficient in rock particle simulation analysis and offering valuable support for geotechnical engineering analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"361 ","pages":"Article 108516"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145785691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-17DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108515
Ruian Wu , Yongshuang Zhang , Chang Qi , Wenbo Zhao , Xiang Li , Deguang Song , Haishan Ma , Qijun Zou
Large-scale ancient landslides in the Himalayan region are increasingly susceptible to reactivation due to climate change and intensifying engineering activities, posing catastrophic geohazard risks. This study deciphers the complete failure chain of the Pangcun ancient landslide (∼18.9 × 106 m3) in Tibet, employing a multi-methodological approach that integrates remote sensing, field investigation, geotechnical testing, and numerical modeling. Our findings reveal a composite failure mechanism characterized by initial retrogressive deformation followed by thrust-style propagation. The reactivation manifests as a creep-slip process within the accumulation mass at depths of 6–25 m, where toe excavation induced early-stage retrogressive cracking, while subsequent rainfall infiltration triggered a thrust-style failure pushing from the rear. Stability analysis quantitatively confirms this vulnerability, showing the Factor of Safety (FoS) decreasing from a marginally stable 1.043 under natural conditions to an unstable 0.951 during heavy rainfall. Furthermore, post-failure simulations predict that a shallow failure could evolve into a high-speed event, reaching peak velocities of up to 17.8 m/s and a runout distance of 840 m, thereby directly endangering the G219 National Highway and downstream communities. Ultimately, this study provides a robust mechanistic framework for assessing similar ancient landslides, facilitating a critical shift in hazard management from reactive response to proactive, mechanism-based prevention.
{"title":"Ancient landslide on the Tibet Plateau(China): Reactivation mechanism and post-failure behavior prediction","authors":"Ruian Wu , Yongshuang Zhang , Chang Qi , Wenbo Zhao , Xiang Li , Deguang Song , Haishan Ma , Qijun Zou","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108515","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108515","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Large-scale ancient landslides in the Himalayan region are increasingly susceptible to reactivation due to climate change and intensifying engineering activities, posing catastrophic geohazard risks. This study deciphers the complete failure chain of the Pangcun ancient landslide (∼18.9 × 10<sup>6</sup> m<sup>3</sup>) in Tibet, employing a multi-methodological approach that integrates remote sensing, field investigation, geotechnical testing, and numerical modeling. Our findings reveal a composite failure mechanism characterized by initial retrogressive deformation followed by thrust-style propagation. The reactivation manifests as a creep-slip process within the accumulation mass at depths of 6–25 m, where toe excavation induced early-stage retrogressive cracking, while subsequent rainfall infiltration triggered a thrust-style failure pushing from the rear. Stability analysis quantitatively confirms this vulnerability, showing the Factor of Safety (FoS) decreasing from a marginally stable 1.043 under natural conditions to an unstable 0.951 during heavy rainfall. Furthermore, post-failure simulations predict that a shallow failure could evolve into a high-speed event, reaching peak velocities of up to 17.8 m/s and a runout distance of 840 m, thereby directly endangering the G219 National Highway and downstream communities. Ultimately, this study provides a robust mechanistic framework for assessing similar ancient landslides, facilitating a critical shift in hazard management from reactive response to proactive, mechanism-based prevention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"361 ","pages":"Article 108515"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145785695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108509
Furong Liu , Wei Ma , Yanhu Mu , Zhi Wen , Mingde Shen , Pengfei He
Under the background of global climate changing, the warming of permafrost has led to numerous engineering infrastructures being operated on warm permafrost foundations with diminishing bearing capacity. Meanwhile, infrastructure construction not only increases the overburden load on permafrost foundations but also induces directional deviation of the principal stress axis relative to the vertical direction. Therefore, conducting study on the stress-strain behavior and strength characteristics along different principal stress directions in warm frozen soils is imperative for accurately assessing deformation evolution patterns and bearing capacity of warm permafrost foundations. Thus, the stress-strain relationships respond, non-coaxiality evolution and strength distribution characteristics during directional loading along different principal stress directions were systematically investigated. The results indicated that the influence of principal stress direction on the strength intensifies with decreasing initial mean principal stress (when p₀ = 500 kPa, the strength at α = 45° exhibits a 27.3 % reduction compared to the α = 0°). Concurrently, increasing initial mean principal stress diminishes both the stress-strain non-coaxiality angle and the directional dependence of strength. Furthermore, a novel strength model incorporating principal stress direction is proposed for warm frozen silt. These findings elucidate the correlation mechanisms between non-coaxiality evolution and strength anisotropy in warm frozen silt under fixed principal stress direction, providing theoretical foundations for optimizing engineering designs in permafrost regions under warming scenarios.
{"title":"Strength and non-coaxiality behavior of warm frozen silt under inclined principal stress axes","authors":"Furong Liu , Wei Ma , Yanhu Mu , Zhi Wen , Mingde Shen , Pengfei He","doi":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108509","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108509","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Under the background of global climate changing, the warming of permafrost has led to numerous engineering infrastructures being operated on warm permafrost foundations with diminishing bearing capacity. Meanwhile, infrastructure construction not only increases the overburden load on permafrost foundations but also induces directional deviation of the principal stress axis relative to the vertical direction. Therefore, conducting study on the stress-strain behavior and strength characteristics along different principal stress directions in warm frozen soils is imperative for accurately assessing deformation evolution patterns and bearing capacity of warm permafrost foundations. Thus, the stress-strain relationships respond, non-coaxiality evolution and strength distribution characteristics during directional loading along different principal stress directions were systematically investigated. The results indicated that the influence of principal stress direction on the strength intensifies with decreasing initial mean principal stress (when <em>p</em><sub><em>₀</em></sub> = 500 kPa, the strength at <em>α</em> = 45° exhibits a 27.3 % reduction compared to the <em>α</em> = 0°). Concurrently, increasing initial mean principal stress diminishes both the stress-strain non-coaxiality angle and the directional dependence of strength. Furthermore, a novel strength model incorporating principal stress direction is proposed for warm frozen silt. These findings elucidate the correlation mechanisms between non-coaxiality evolution and strength anisotropy in warm frozen silt under fixed principal stress direction, providing theoretical foundations for optimizing engineering designs in permafrost regions under warming scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11567,"journal":{"name":"Engineering Geology","volume":"361 ","pages":"Article 108509"},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145785697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-16DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2025.108512
Ming Wei , Jinlai Zhu , Zhen Guo , Wen Zhang , Linpeng Qin , Zongzheng Li , Xiaoyan Wang , Qi Sun
Traditional microseismic location methods face severe limitations in complex mountainous terrain due to oversimplified velocity assumptions and neglect of topographic effects, often yielding location errors exceeding 20–30 m. This case study demonstrates how high-precision 3D seismic event (SE) location can be achieved in such challenging environments through two key methodological innovations: (1) incorporation of complex stratigraphic structures using high-resolution 3D velocity models derived from dense array surface wave tomography (SWT), capturing velocity variations from ∼200–2500 m/s characteristic of weathered and fractured slope masses; and (2) integration of topographic effects through fast marching ray tracing within DEM-constrained domains, computing physically realistic wave paths that honor both velocity structure and terrain geometry. Application to actively deforming slopes in the Hengduan Mountains of eastern Tibet—where extreme topographic relief (>700 m) and complex geological structures exemplify the challenges confronting conventional methods—demonstrates location accuracies of 3 m overall and 1.5 m within dense array coverage areas. The excellent agreement between SWT-derived velocity structures and independent geological observations from boreholes and field mapping confirms the physical validity of the wave propagation models. Furthermore, analysis of 1470 SEs located over one year reveals shallow microseismic activity (0–43 m depth) concentrated within zones of maximum surface deformation identified by interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), with characteristic frequencies of 4–9 Hz and balanced energy distributions indicative of continuous creeping behavior. The strong spatial correlation between located SE clusters and independently measured surface deformation validates that our dual consideration of complex strata and topographic effects successfully captures the true subsurface source distribution. This methodology provides the spatial resolution essential for reliable slope stability assessment in complex geological settings.
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