Many degradation processes of cultural heritage objects are associated with unsuitable microclimatic conditions. One of the most ubiquitous deteriorations is the crystallization of salts in pores, which can accelerate the erosion rate of masonry historical relics. In this study, the microclimate of the burial tomb and exfoliation of sandstone in the Yongling Mausoleum of the Former Shu Dynasty in Chengdu were monitored for 1 year to determine the development of the degradation. We established a connection between the monitoring data and exfoliation variations of the stone with time. To predict the deterioration of the stone, a three-dimensional computational finite element model was used to simulate the detailed process of the thermo-hygrometric performance that led to salt crystallization and artwork deterioration. Two results were obtained. In the simulation of the microclimate, the temperature ranged from 15 to 22.6 °C, and the relative humidity was heterogeneous and varied between 60 and 100%. The other was the relationship between the microclimate and exfoliation. It was found that the exfoliation was more severe in the higher relative humidity areas where the water vapor frequently interacted with the relics. The crystallization and hydration of sulfate produced stress, which damaged the stone relics. These results provide a rationale analysis and a reference for better management of the environmental interactions and reduction of the environmental impacts in the subsequent scientific conservation of ancient Chinese cultural relics in tombs.

The reservoir water level in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) of the Yangtze River is adjusted between 145 m and 175 m throughout the year. The landslide below the reservoir water level bears periodic dynamic seepage pressure on the basis of the original steady-state water pressure. In the process of rising reservoir water levels in particular, the effective stress on the sliding zone soil below the reservoir water level line is reduced, and the sliding zone soil shows an unloading state. In order to study the creep characteristics of landslides in a reservoir area, direct shear creep tests of the sliding zone soil in the Huangtupo landslide in an unloading state were carried out in this study. The test results show that the creep characteristics of the sliding zone soil are obvious. The creep curve of the sliding zone soil presents an attenuation creep stage with low shear stress, which is mainly manifested as an elastic creep. However, with the increase in the shear stress, the creep curve of the sliding zone soil presents a steady creep stage, which is mainly manifested as viscoelastic creep. The nonlinear creep characteristics of the sliding zone soil are related to the creep time, stress level, and soil porosity. The longer the creep time, the greater the stress level and the denser the soil, the more obvious the nonlinear creep characteristics of the sliding zone soil. In this study, the Burgers model was used to fit the creep curve of the sliding zone soil, and the fitting effect was good, which indicates that the Burgers model can sufficiently describe the unloading state creep characteristics of the sliding zone soil in the Huangtupo landslide.

The resurrection of landslides often occurs in complex strata, where there are often multiple water-resisting zones and weak interlayers. The groundwater level has a significant influence on landslide stability and can lead to the formation of composite landslides and increase the probability of landslide resurrection. In a field investigation of the K39 +400 composite landslide of Wenma Expressway, the deformation characteristics of the landslide surface were obtained by analyzing 34 cracks on the landslide surface. The deep deformation characteristics of the landslide were analyzed by studying the deformation data obtained from deep borehole monitoring. The deformation zone characteristics of landslides were assessed by integrating surface and deep deformation data in the landslide area. The resurrections of shallow landslides in Area I and deep landslides in Area III were due mainly to the long-term high underground water level in the landslide. The stability of the landslide was calculated under various depths of drainage tunnel, and the results showed that the slope was in critical condition when the depth of the drainage tunnel was 15 m; the slope was basically stable when the depth of the drainage tunnel was 20 m and 25 m. When the depth of the drainage tunnel reached more than 30 m, the slope was in a stable state. Groundwater level was found to be the main factor affecting landslide deformation. This case study shows the importance of zoning the deformation characteristics of composite landslides, and the important influence of the groundwater level on landslide resurrection.