Rainfall- and Irrigation-Induced Landslide Mechanisms in Loess Slopes: An Experimental Investigation in Lanzhou, China
To reveal the mechanism of rainfall- and irrigation-induced landslides in loess slopes within cold regions, a series of tests on loess samples subjected to different permeability durations were conducted, and the effects of rainfall on several performance indicators, including the permeability coeff...
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/2/162 |
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| author | Wei Liu Ruiqiang Bai Xinran Sun Fang Yang Weiji Zhai Xing Su |
| author_facet | Wei Liu Ruiqiang Bai Xinran Sun Fang Yang Weiji Zhai Xing Su |
| author_sort | Wei Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | To reveal the mechanism of rainfall- and irrigation-induced landslides in loess slopes within cold regions, a series of tests on loess samples subjected to different permeability durations were conducted, and the effects of rainfall on several performance indicators, including the permeability coefficient, composition, microstructure, soil–water characteristic curve, and the shear strength of the loess, were investigated. The results show that the permeability coefficient of the loess decreased by 68% after permeability testing. With increased permeability duration, there is a marked decrease in total dissolved solids, sand particles, and clay particles, contrasted with an increase in silt particles. This dynamic alters the original soil structure and impacts the soil–water characteristic curve of the loess. Additionally, rainwater infiltration heightens the effective saturation of the loess, in turn diminishing the shear strength of the loess as effective saturation increases. This reduction in shear strength is further intensified with extended infiltration time (or rainfall duration). A landslide is triggered once the shear strength diminishes to the level of the geostatic stress of the loess slope, and the influence of the rainfall-induced loss of soil shear strength should be taken into account during slope stability analysis. This study enhances the understanding of the initiation mechanisms of rainfall-induced landslides in loess slopes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:42:58Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:42:58Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
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| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-c7d4ec7242344f96bbf275a2ae62b12f2024-02-23T15:07:02ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332024-01-0115216210.3390/atmos15020162Rainfall- and Irrigation-Induced Landslide Mechanisms in Loess Slopes: An Experimental Investigation in Lanzhou, ChinaWei Liu0Ruiqiang Bai1Xinran Sun2Fang Yang3Weiji Zhai4Xing Su5Institute of Transportation, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaInstitute of Transportation, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, ChinaInstitute of Transportation, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010070, ChinaInner Mongolia Third Construction Engineering Co., Ltd., Hohhot 010051, ChinaInstitute of Geological Hazards Prevention, Gansu Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaTo reveal the mechanism of rainfall- and irrigation-induced landslides in loess slopes within cold regions, a series of tests on loess samples subjected to different permeability durations were conducted, and the effects of rainfall on several performance indicators, including the permeability coefficient, composition, microstructure, soil–water characteristic curve, and the shear strength of the loess, were investigated. The results show that the permeability coefficient of the loess decreased by 68% after permeability testing. With increased permeability duration, there is a marked decrease in total dissolved solids, sand particles, and clay particles, contrasted with an increase in silt particles. This dynamic alters the original soil structure and impacts the soil–water characteristic curve of the loess. Additionally, rainwater infiltration heightens the effective saturation of the loess, in turn diminishing the shear strength of the loess as effective saturation increases. This reduction in shear strength is further intensified with extended infiltration time (or rainfall duration). A landslide is triggered once the shear strength diminishes to the level of the geostatic stress of the loess slope, and the influence of the rainfall-induced loss of soil shear strength should be taken into account during slope stability analysis. This study enhances the understanding of the initiation mechanisms of rainfall-induced landslides in loess slopes.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/2/162loess slope landsliderainfallpermeability coefficientsoil structureshear strength |
| spellingShingle | Wei Liu Ruiqiang Bai Xinran Sun Fang Yang Weiji Zhai Xing Su Rainfall- and Irrigation-Induced Landslide Mechanisms in Loess Slopes: An Experimental Investigation in Lanzhou, China Atmosphere loess slope landslide rainfall permeability coefficient soil structure shear strength |
| title | Rainfall- and Irrigation-Induced Landslide Mechanisms in Loess Slopes: An Experimental Investigation in Lanzhou, China |
| title_full | Rainfall- and Irrigation-Induced Landslide Mechanisms in Loess Slopes: An Experimental Investigation in Lanzhou, China |
| title_fullStr | Rainfall- and Irrigation-Induced Landslide Mechanisms in Loess Slopes: An Experimental Investigation in Lanzhou, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rainfall- and Irrigation-Induced Landslide Mechanisms in Loess Slopes: An Experimental Investigation in Lanzhou, China |
| title_short | Rainfall- and Irrigation-Induced Landslide Mechanisms in Loess Slopes: An Experimental Investigation in Lanzhou, China |
| title_sort | rainfall and irrigation induced landslide mechanisms in loess slopes an experimental investigation in lanzhou china |
| topic | loess slope landslide rainfall permeability coefficient soil structure shear strength |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/2/162 |
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