Investigation of Rainfall-Induced Failure Processes and Characteristics of Wedge Slopes Using Physical Models

Abstract

In this study, we conducted small-scale physical modeling tests to consider the impact of the infiltration of rainfall in order to investigate the processes involved in wedge slope deformation and failure. The experiments were conducted under controlled conditions of the intersection angle and half-wedge angle. The observations obtained during each stage of deformation and failure were used to explain how gravity deformation varies on wedge slopes and infer how rainfall influences slope failure. The results indicated that half-wedge angle is a crucial factor in the deformation failure of slopes. The failure mechanisms of small-intersection angle slopes (sliding model) differ considerably from those of large-intersection angle slopes (free falling or toppling model). The infiltration of surface water can have a significant influence on rock layer deformation and the speed of failure. Details of the failure characteristics of wedge slope models were discussed in this paper.