Particle size characteristics of sliding-zone soil and its role in landslide occurrence: a case study of the Lanniqing landslide in Southwest China

In landslide studies, particle size is a key quantitative indicator, reflecting the formation and development of the sliding zone. It plays a crucial role in understanding the mechanisms and evolutionary processes that lead to landslide occurrences. Precise measurement of particle size is crucial. T...

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Main Authors: Zongheng Xu, Hongchen Ye, Lingxu Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-10-01
Series:Frontiers in Earth Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2024.1483534/full
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author Zongheng Xu
Zongheng Xu
Hongchen Ye
Hongchen Ye
Lingxu Li
Lingxu Li
author_facet Zongheng Xu
Zongheng Xu
Hongchen Ye
Hongchen Ye
Lingxu Li
Lingxu Li
author_sort Zongheng Xu
collection DOAJ
description In landslide studies, particle size is a key quantitative indicator, reflecting the formation and development of the sliding zone. It plays a crucial role in understanding the mechanisms and evolutionary processes that lead to landslide occurrences. Precise measurement of particle size is crucial. This study centered on soil samples from the Lanniqing landslide in Southwest China. To begin, seven distinct methods were used to preprocess the soil samples. Next, the particle size frequency distribution was measured using the Mastersizer 2000 laser particle size analyzer. Key parameters, including median particle size, mean particle size, sorting coefficient, skewness, and kurtosis, were then compared and analyzed to determine the most appropriate preprocessing method for evaluating the characteristics of the soil samples. The mechanism of landslide occurrence was subsequently analyzed by examining the particle size characteristics, mechanical properties, and mineral composition of the soil samples. The results suggested that method C provides the most reliable analysis of particle size characteristics in soil samples. The observed coarsening of coarse particles, along with a significant increase in clay content within the sliding zone, indicates that the sliding surface has undergone multiple shear and compression events. The interplay of the upper traffic load and slope cutting at the front edge set the stage for the Lanniqing landslide, prompting the initial development of potential sliding surfaces. Rainfall acts as a catalyst for slope instability. The high clay content, combined with the formation of a low-permeability layer rich in clay minerals on the sliding surface, leads to excessive pore water pressure and mineral lubrication. These factors inherently trigger and accelerate the occurrence of the landslide.
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spelling doaj-art-02ffbf4907a14475a944acbfdff9c8952025-08-20T02:12:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632024-10-011210.3389/feart.2024.14835341483534Particle size characteristics of sliding-zone soil and its role in landslide occurrence: a case study of the Lanniqing landslide in Southwest ChinaZongheng Xu0Zongheng Xu1Hongchen Ye2Hongchen Ye3Lingxu Li4Lingxu Li5Faculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plateau Geographic Processes and Environment Change of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, ChinaFaculty of Geography, Yunnan Normal University, Kunming, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plateau Geographic Processes and Environment Change of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, ChinaDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaSchool of Architecture and Engineering, Dianchi College, Yunnan University, Kunming, ChinaIn landslide studies, particle size is a key quantitative indicator, reflecting the formation and development of the sliding zone. It plays a crucial role in understanding the mechanisms and evolutionary processes that lead to landslide occurrences. Precise measurement of particle size is crucial. This study centered on soil samples from the Lanniqing landslide in Southwest China. To begin, seven distinct methods were used to preprocess the soil samples. Next, the particle size frequency distribution was measured using the Mastersizer 2000 laser particle size analyzer. Key parameters, including median particle size, mean particle size, sorting coefficient, skewness, and kurtosis, were then compared and analyzed to determine the most appropriate preprocessing method for evaluating the characteristics of the soil samples. The mechanism of landslide occurrence was subsequently analyzed by examining the particle size characteristics, mechanical properties, and mineral composition of the soil samples. The results suggested that method C provides the most reliable analysis of particle size characteristics in soil samples. The observed coarsening of coarse particles, along with a significant increase in clay content within the sliding zone, indicates that the sliding surface has undergone multiple shear and compression events. The interplay of the upper traffic load and slope cutting at the front edge set the stage for the Lanniqing landslide, prompting the initial development of potential sliding surfaces. Rainfall acts as a catalyst for slope instability. The high clay content, combined with the formation of a low-permeability layer rich in clay minerals on the sliding surface, leads to excessive pore water pressure and mineral lubrication. These factors inherently trigger and accelerate the occurrence of the landslide.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2024.1483534/fulldifferent pretreatmentsliding-zone soilparticle sizesliding zone stagnant waterlandslide occurrence
spellingShingle Zongheng Xu
Zongheng Xu
Hongchen Ye
Hongchen Ye
Lingxu Li
Lingxu Li
Particle size characteristics of sliding-zone soil and its role in landslide occurrence: a case study of the Lanniqing landslide in Southwest China
Frontiers in Earth Science
different pretreatment
sliding-zone soil
particle size
sliding zone stagnant water
landslide occurrence
title Particle size characteristics of sliding-zone soil and its role in landslide occurrence: a case study of the Lanniqing landslide in Southwest China
title_full Particle size characteristics of sliding-zone soil and its role in landslide occurrence: a case study of the Lanniqing landslide in Southwest China
title_fullStr Particle size characteristics of sliding-zone soil and its role in landslide occurrence: a case study of the Lanniqing landslide in Southwest China
title_full_unstemmed Particle size characteristics of sliding-zone soil and its role in landslide occurrence: a case study of the Lanniqing landslide in Southwest China
title_short Particle size characteristics of sliding-zone soil and its role in landslide occurrence: a case study of the Lanniqing landslide in Southwest China
title_sort particle size characteristics of sliding zone soil and its role in landslide occurrence a case study of the lanniqing landslide in southwest china
topic different pretreatment
sliding-zone soil
particle size
sliding zone stagnant water
landslide occurrence
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2024.1483534/full
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