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This work focuses on integrated stability assessment of rocky tunnel slopes along a planned railway, namely, the Dujiangyan City to Siguniang Mountain Railway (DS Railway), which is an important transportation corridor in Southwest China. Investigating the stability of slopes at the entrances and exits of tunnels represents the first step of railway construction. Based on detailed geological engineering studies, the stability of 32 tunnel slopes was measured and evaluated by means of the slope mass rating (SMR), Chinese slope mass rating (CSMR) and Chinese continuous slope mass rating (CCSMR) systems. Moreover, a kinematic analysis technique was also employed to identify the potential failure modes of the jointed rock masses in tunnel slopes. The results reveal that the CSMR, by considering the slope height and discontinuity condition coefficient, can more robustly assess the slope stability than the SMR. Similarly, the CCSMR, which is based on continuous functions and can identify potentially dangerous slopes that should be reinforced, can reduce subjectivity. Many slopes deemed unstable and completely unstable by the CSMR and CCSMR are located on the banks of the river from Longchi to Longtan and from Xindianzi to Siguniang Mountain. The potential failure modes of the 32 slopes determined by kinematic analysis are basically consistent with the results obtained by the slope mass classification systems. These research results pave the way for stability assessment and intervention decision-making during the construction of the DS Railway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study on the weathering characteristics of Niche of Sakyamuni Entering Nirvana at Dazu Rock Carvings is the first step of scientific conservation. Based on the in-depth investigation on the weathering characteristics of Niche of Sakyamuni Entering Nirvana, the weathering degree was measured and evaluated by means of the in-situ non-destructive surface hardness test and ultrasonic test. The results reveal that the weathering types of Niche of Sakyamuni Entering Nirvana consist of granular disintegration, salt efflorescence, scaling, blistering, cracking, missing parts, biological colonization, and water seepage. The weathering degree of the head and foot of the statues are higher than that of the chest and abdomen in the horizontal direction, and the weathering degree of the upper parts of the statues and the ground area are higher than that between them in the vertical direction. The results of surface hardness and ultrasonic velocity are in close accordance with the weathering degree of the statues. Sedimentary and structural characteristics of sandstone lay a material foundation for various weathering characteristics and degree. The research results pave the way for condition assessment, intervention decision-making, and preventative conservation of the studied statues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stone monuments are important symbols of cultural heritage of countries. However, many environmental factors negatively affect these monuments. The increasing damage on the stone monuments and the danger of irreversible loss of cultural heritage have resulted in growing efforts for the preservation of the monuments. Eflatunpınar Hittite Water Monument in Beyşehir, Konya, Turkey, is a unique Hittite cultural monument that has survived for nearly 3200 years even though it has been exposed to many environmental effects. In this study, non-destructive testing (NDT) was used to detect the degradation on the building stones of the Eflatunpınar Hittite Water Monument and change-deterioration maps were prepared subsequently. It was also investigated whether the chemistry of the Eflatunpınar spring water may cause deterioration. Additionally, the petrographic, chemical, and physico-mechanical properties of the rocks taken from the ancient stone quarry were determined in order to compare with the properties of the monument's building stones. Based on the physico-chemical characteristics of the Eflatunpınar spring water and XRD results of crusts in building stone surface of the monument, it was identified that water can be effective on the formation of calcite and gypsum crusts especially in the lower parts of the monument. However, applied NDT methods and change-deterioration maps indicated that the deterioration as well as neglect and abandonment in the monument are mostly associated with the capillary effect of the flowing water through the structure and the deterioration effect is more apparent in contact points between the building stone and the flowing water. Additionally, in the building stones above the capillary front, the conservation condition is significantly better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]