Abstract
We study the physical mechanisms that drive alpine slope deformation
during water infiltration and depletion into fractured bedrocks. We
develop a fully coupled hydromechanical model at the valley scale with
multiscale fracture systems ranging from meter to kilometer scales
represented. The model parameterized with realistic rock mass properties
captures the effects of fractures via an upscaling framework with
equivalent hydraulic and mechanical properties assigned to local rock
mass blocks. The important heterogeneous and anisotropic characteristics
of bedrocks due to depth-dependent variations of fracture density and
stress state are taken into account and found to play a critical role in
groundwater recharge and valley-scale deformation. Our simulation
results show that pore pressure actively diffuses downward from the
groundwater table during a recharge event, rendering a critical
hydraulic response zone controlling surface deformation patterns. During
the recession, the hydraulic front migrates downwards and the
deformation recorded at the surface (up to ~4 cm)
rotates accordingly. The most essential parameters in our model are the
fracture network geometry, initial fracture aperture (controlling the
rock mass permeability), and regional stress conditions. The magnitude
and orientation of our model’s transient annual slope surface
deformation are consistent with field observations at our study site in
the Aletsch valley. Our research findings have important implications
for understanding groundwater flow and slope deformations in alpine
mountain environments.