Experimental study of laterite soil slope influenced by water level fluctuation

摘要

Failure of slopes is often caused by seasonal water level fluctuation of reservoirs. To examine the impacts of water level fluctuation in water rising and drawdown stage, a slope model test is presented using the laterite soil. The controlling of rising and drawdown of water level is implemented in the test, and a series of test data such as pore water pressure, water content and displacement are obtained during the simulation process. The results indicate that the pore water pressure responses delay with the rising and drawdown water level. The water content gradually increases from the trailing edge. The mechanism of deformation and instability are revealed by the experiment under water level fluctuation. The results indicate that the displacement in the vertical direction is much larger than that in the horizontal direction under the condition of water level fluctuation, especially in water rising stage. The water rise and drawdown gradually softening will lead to the strength reduction and therein induce larger deformation.