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Study on failure of red clay slopes with different gradients under dry and wet cycles

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Abstract

In order to deeply study the failure mechanism of red clay slope engineering under the influence of gradients and natural environment, Guizhou red clay was chosen as the research object and two slope models with different gradients were established respectively. The indoor dry-wet cycle test of the red clay slope was conducted. With the finite element software, this study examined the evolution of slope displacement, moisture content, and pore water pressure with time at different angles. It also analyzed the failure modes of slopes at different angles. The results showed that: (1) the forms of slope failure were mainly splashing, surface erosion and gully, and the slope failure was caused by the combination of rainwater infiltration and runoff erosion; (2) under the same climatic conditions, when the slope became steeper, the influence of rain infiltration and sunshine was greater. Besides, there was an increase in the overall value of the moisture content, pore water pressure, and amplitude of variation. Furthermore, the internal soil strength decreased, while the horizontal displacement accelerated exponentially; and (3) no obvious sliding surface was found during the test. The displacement increased from the crest of the slope to the toe of the slope. The collapse began to occur from the toe of the slope, and the coalescence of multiple disintegrations caused the landslide.

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Acknowledgments

Financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51668011, No. 51368010, No. 41572263), Self-determined Project of State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics & Deep Underground Engineering (Z19010), and Key Research and Development Program (Social Development) of Xuzhou City (KC18219) are sincerely acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China

    Yang Liu & Yingchao Wang

  2. School of Civil Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China

    Yang Liu, Kaisheng Chen & Mengfei Lyu

  3. School of Mechanics & Civil Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, Jiangsu, China

    Yingchao Wang

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  1. Yang Liu
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  2. Kaisheng Chen
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  3. Mengfei Lyu
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  4. Yingchao Wang
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Correspondence to Kaisheng Chen.

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Yang, L., Kaisheng, C., Mengfei, L. et al. Study on failure of red clay slopes with different gradients under dry and wet cycles. Bull Eng Geol Environ 79, 4609–4624 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-01827-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-020-01827-6

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