Seismic performance and failure mechanism of interbedded slopes with steep rock layers

Numerous interbedded rock (IR) slopes fail during the Wenchuan earthquake in the mountainous region of western China. Landslides are also triggered in IR slopes with a 60° layer inclination, which are generally stable in gravity-dominant environments. This study examines the effect of seismic motion on the response characteristics and failure patterns of IR slopes with steep layers to develop a landslide hazard assessment tool for earthquake-prone regions. First, we use a centrifuge shaking table test to model the failure process and acceleration responses of two IR slope models with stratigraphic dips of 60° and 80°, respectively, under different seismic intensities. Next, we adopt the Particle Flow Code to examine the crack propagation features and peak ground acceleration amplification effects for the IR slopes. We find that the seismic failure pattern of IR slopes depends largely on rock layer inclination: buckling failure is triggered when rock layers are parallel or nearly parallel to the slope surface, while toppling failure is triggered when the rock layer inclination is significantly higher than that of the slope surface. Following seismic excitation, the damage is mainly observed in the weak rock layers, creating lateral stress on adjacent strong rocks, which undergoes deformation and ultimate macroscopic failure. Further, displacement of the IR slope is negatively correlated to rock layer inclination. Rock layer thickness has a major influence on the damaged area inside the slope mass, while rock layer stiffness mainly affects the deformation distribution near the slope shoulder.