Centrifuge model tests of cohesive soil slopes during rainfall

Abstract

Centrifuge model tests were conducted to investigate the deformation and failure mechanism of cohesive soil slopes due to rainfall. A rainfall simulator was used to produce the rainfall during the tests. The failure modes and deformation processes were observed photographically and measured by correlation analysis. The results show that the slope stability is significantly affected by the rainfall. Relatively shallow slips in the slope are caused in the short term by the rainfall with the water penetrating deeply into the slope before larger failures. The slope displacements increased with increasing rainfall; as did the region with significant displacements. Significant displacement concentrations eventually occurred. The displacement process of a point on the slope can be divided into the small displacement stage, rapid increase stage, and stable stage. Different deformation mechanisms control the different stages.