The Kangjiapo landslide in Wanzhou district, Chongqing city: reactivation of a deep-seated colluvial landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir

How to reduce landslide risk economically and effectively is a very meaningful and challenging research topic. In particular, it is difficult and expensive to completely control deep-seated colluvial landslides. Taking the Kangjiapo landslide in Wanzhou district, Chongqing city, China, as a case, this study focuses on measures to prevent and control the risks of deep-seated colluvial landslides through detailed investigation and monitoring. The Kangjiapo landslide is located in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, and it is part of a famous ancient landslide named the Pipaping landslide. The steep sliding surface in the rear was not found during the first treatment; the Kangjiapo landslide has been reactivated since 2015. Field investigations, monitoring, borehole, and related tests were conducted to identify the landslide characteristics and mechanisms. The landslide deformation was not spatially or temporally uniform according to monitoring data analysis. The landslide is less likely to fail in general because the sliding surface in the front is very gentle. The reasons for Kangjiapo landslide reactivation could include the decline of the reservoir water level, a steep sliding surface in the rear, and the existence of a sliding zone with low strength due to a long period of reservoir immersion. In order to reduce the deep-seated landslide risk, landslide mitigation measures including stabilizing piles nearby the road, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, and MEMS inclinometer in the platform are proposed. This landslide control practice provides a new idea for the deep-seated colluvial landslides.

Automated summary

This study focuses on measures to prevent and control deep-seated colluvial landslides using the Kangjiapo landslide in China as a case study. Field investigations, monitoring, and tests were conducted to identify the characteristics and mechanisms of the landslide. The research found that the landslide deformation was not uniform and the likelihood of failure was low. The reactivation of the Kangjiapo landslide was attributed to factors such as the decline of reservoir water level, a steep sliding surface, and a sliding zone with low strength. Mitigation measures such as stabilizing piles, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, and MEMS inclinometer were proposed to reduce the landslide risk.