Dynamic Instability Mechanism of Bedding Rock Slopes Under the Influence of Earthquakes

Landslides represent the most extensively distributed and frequent geological disaster in China, accounting for ~70% of all geological disasters. Among these, bedding landslides are particularly severe, leading to significant environmental damage and casualties. This study employs numerical simulations to investigate the dynamic response and instability mechanisms of bedding rock slopes under seismic loading. The results indicate that the slip displacement along structural planes increases markedly with rising seismic amplitude. The dynamic response of the slopes exhibits both an elevation amplification effect and a slope surface amplification effect. When a bedding rock slope is in a stable state, the peak ground acceleration (PGA) amplification coefficient increases with seismic amplitude. In contrast, when slope rock materials are damaged, the propagation of seismic waves is impeded, leading to a decrease in the PGA amplification coefficient with increasing seismic amplitude. The plastic damage zone of the bedding rock slope is distributed in a step‐pattern distribution under the influence of earthquakes. The influence of different earthquake waveforms on a bedding rock slope is compared, and the dynamic response characteristics and damage degree of the slope are investigated. These results contribute to a better understanding of the dynamic instability mechanism of the bedding rock slope when exposed to earthquakes.