Failure Mechanisms of the Landslides Triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake, China

Abstract:

Taking the landslides triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake as examples, their dynamic responses with different epicenter distances due to single and combined action with regionality and spatial heterogeneity of the Primary and Secondary waves were simulated by applying the Universal Distinct Element Code software. The results shows that the slope suffered from the combined action between P and S waves appears instability prior to the slope under single action of P wave. With the epicenter distance increasing, the key controlling factor resulting in the slope failure varies from the combined seismic action between P and S waves to the single seismic action of the P wave. As for the formation mechanism of slope instability, coupled action between the vertical and horizontal seismic forces results in the slope dynamic failure with key action varying from the vertical to the horizontal one. Finally, the initial instability originates always at slope shoulder due to the peak ground acceleration amplification effect and the variation trend of the slope mechanical parameters on its fracturing of the seismic action.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 594-597)
• Pages: 1864-1868
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.594-597.1864
• Online since: November 2012
• Authors: Fang Peng Cui, Yue Ping Yin, Rui Lin Hu, Jin Qing Yu
• Keywords: Formation Mechanism, Landslide, Primary and Second Waves, Wenchuan Earthquake

References

[1] Shengwen Q., Source Characteristics of Long Runout Rock Avalanches Triggered by the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake, China, Journal of Asian Earth Sciences: 1-11, (2010)

DOI: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2010.05.010

[2] Fangpeng C., Discrete Element Analysis of Collapsing and Sliding Response of Slope Triggered by Time Difference Coupling Effects of P and S Seismic Waves-Taking Tangjiashan Llandslide in Beichuan County for Example, Chinese Journal of Rock Mechanics and Engineering: 319-327, (2010)

[3] Fangpeng C., Collapsing and Sliding Response of Slopes Triggered by Single and Combined Action with Time Difference of P and S Seismic Waves, Chinese Journal of Geotechnical Engineering: 1266-1273, (2010)

[4] Fangpeng C., Numerical Simulation of Slope Collapsing and Sliding due to Single or Combined Actions of Seismic P- and S- Waves with Time Difference, Journal of Engineering Geology: 455-462, (2009)

[5] Yueping Y., Research on the Geo-hazards Triggered by Wenchuan Earthquake, Sichuan, Journal of Engineering Geology: 433-444, (2008)

[6] Yueping Y., Fearures of Landslides Triggered by the WENCHUAN Earthquake, Journal of Engineering Geology: 29-38, (2009)

[7] Qiang X., Kinetics Characteristics of Large Landslides Triggered by May 12th Wenchuan Earthquake, Journal of Engineering Geology: 721-729, (2008).