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Geological challenges and stabilization strategies for phyllite rock slopes: a case study of Guang-Gansu expressway in Western China

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Abstract

The increased occurrence and severity of natural disasters, such as landslides, have impacted the stability of phyllite rock slopes in the complex geological regions of Western China. This situation presents significant challenges for infrastructure development in the area. This study investigates the upper span bridgehead slope of Guang-Gansu expressway K550 + 031 as a case study to analyze the sliding failure mechanism of thousand rock slopes in the seismic fault zone and the supporting structure failure through field investigation and exploration. The analysis shows that the slope’s rock mass is extensively fractured, primarily influenced by the Qingchuan fault zone. This geological activity leads to slope instability, worsened by seasonal rainfall. The phyllite undergoes alternating dry and wet cycles, weakening its mechanical strength, forming cracks, and accelerating slope displacement, subsidence, and cracking. This results in front slope instability, followed by gradual backward and step-by-step traction sliding deformation on both sides. The geological structure and seasonal rainfall damage the original bolt-grid beam-supporting structure. To address this issue, an anti-slide pile combined with a grid beam treatment method is proposed, and its effectiveness is verified through deep displacement monitoring. This study emphasizes the significance of integrating geological structure and seasonal rainfall impacts into infrastructure design within complex geological areas, ensuring slope and supporting structure stability.

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Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support received from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52179132), the Henan Natural Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (Grant No. 232300421016), the Key R&D and Promotion of Special Scientific and Technological Research Projects of Henan Province (Grant No.212102310056), and the Cultivation Project of Innovative Technology Team for Hydraulic Engineering of NCWU (2023SZ100100084).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil Engineering and Communication, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450045, China

    Junfeng Guan, Yonggang Wang, Lielie Li & Lihua Niu

Authors
  1. Junfeng Guan
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  2. Yonggang Wang
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  3. Lielie Li
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  4. Lihua Niu
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Contributions

Junfeng Guan: conceptualization, methodology, investigation, data curation, funding acquisition, supervision, writing, reviewing, and editing. Yonggang Wang: conceptualization, methodology, investigation, funding acquisition, validation, project administration, writing, reviewing, and editing. Lielie Li: conceptualization, methodology, investigation, data curation, resources, software, validation, and writing the original draft. Lihua Niu: investigation, data curation, resources, software, validation, writing, reviewing, and editing.

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Correspondence to Junfeng Guan.

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Guan, J., Wang, Y., Li, L. et al. Geological challenges and stabilization strategies for phyllite rock slopes: a case study of Guang-Gansu expressway in Western China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 108741–108756 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-29517-2

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