Numerical Assessment of Rainfall-Induced Variations in Slope Displacement and Stress Fields

Abstract

Abstract The global occurrence of instability in loess slopes manifests in various forms, including collapse, landslides, debris flows, and sinkholes. Rainfall emerges as a principal factor influencing the instability of loess slopes. In the context of burgeoning infrastructure and urban development, elucidating the rainfall-triggering mechanisms of loess landslides presents a significant engineering challenge. To address this, the present study employed ADINA numerical software to simulate the impact of rainfall on field landslides. Accounting for local rainfall intensities, simulations were executed to examine the effects of rainfall intensities of 200 mm/d, 300 mm/d, and 400 mm/d on the stress and displacement patterns within the landslide. The findings reveal that rainfall intensity substantially influences both the stress and displacement characteristics of the slope. As the intensity escalates, there is a corresponding increase in slope displacement and a gradual expansion of the stress-affected zone at the slope's toe. Notably, displacement near the slope's summit is minimal but amplifies progressively downwards, culminating in maximal displacement at the toe.