The indoor model test of loess landslide instability induced by artificial rainfall in Tianshui area

Abstract

The loess slope stability is influenced by rainfall and other factors. In order to find out the mechanism of loess slope instability, especially the influence of rainfall intensity and slope, the indoor model test was performed to study rainfall-induced loess landslide in Tianshui area, Gansu Province. Slope gradient and rainfall intensity are considered as variables, and their influence on slope stability are analyzed based on monitoring of soil suction and water content, and slope deformation process. The results show that the higher the rainfall intensity, the faster the infiltration rate. The volumetric moisture rate under heavy rainfall is more than 10% under small rainfall intensity. The steeper the slope, the lower the infiltration rate for the slope model. The loess slope is prone to overall sliding from bottom to top under the heavy rainfall, and easily lead to down-top retrogressive landslide under light rain.