Fault controls spatial variation of fracture density and rock mass
strength within the Yarlung Tsangpo Fault damage zone (southern Tibet)
Abstract
The extent of the fault damage zone remains an outstanding challenge
confounding attempts to assess rock mass physical and mechanical
properties, the effects on landscape evolution and slope stability, and
to delineate safe places for human occupation and infrastructure
development. Quantifying the relationship between faulting and the
spatial geometrical and mechanical characteristics of a rock mass
controlled by faulting is difficult, mainly because of varying lithology
and rock mass characteristics, the effects of topography and vegetation
and local erosion of weaker rock mass. Recent technological developments
including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, terrestrial laser scanning,
photogrammetry and point cloud analysis software tools greatly enhance
our ability to investigate the issues using the Yarlung Tsangpo (YLTP)
Fault of southern Tibet as a case study where ideal geological
conditions exist to investigate the relationship. In this study, the
procedures, investigation approaches, evidence and criteria for defining
the threshold distance for damage zones of YLTP Fault of southern Tibet
were studied quantitatively by combining the spatial variations of
fracture density, rock mass strength, rockfall inventory and previous
thermal evidence. The results have been compared with published data
from the evidence of thermal effects related to the exactly the same
fault and show a good match between internal thermal action and rock
mass physical and mechanical properties controlled by the same faulting.
The extent of threshold distance of damage zone of the YLTP Fault is
estimated as 5.9±0.6km. Within the damage zone, fracture density and
cohesion of the rock mass show power curve relations with distance from
the YLTP Fault. The internal dynamic action of fault controls rock mass
physical and mechanical properties in the study area. The fault first
affects the characteristics of rock mass structures, and then the
orientation of the rock structures influences the stability of slope
leading to rockfall.