Centrifuge modelling of unsaturated slopes subjected to the integrated effect of groundwater and rainfall infiltration

Abstract

The stability of unsaturated soil slopes is comprehensively discussed with the rainfall characteristics. However, pre-existing groundwater table is also common in many tropical mountainous regions. Additionally, perched water table could be generated due to antecedent rainfall conditions on the soil-bedrock interface. The complex hydrological response process of slopes subjected to the integrated effect of groundwater and rainfall infiltration has not yet been entirely realized. Therefore, the current studyaimed at investigating the influence of initial groundwater table on initiation of landslides in slopes exposed to rainfall infiltration. The centrifuge modelling technique is utilized in this study. A centrifuge container was newly designed to reproduce the rainfall and groundwater table effects. Identical soil slopes made from silty sand were tested under 50g conditions. The unsaturated slopes behaviour was evaluated under two cases during the analysis: 01) rainfall only and 02) rainfall on a pre-existing groundwater table. The results demonstrated that the failure happened in case (02) was quicker, larger in volume and faster to respond to rainfall infiltration. The factor of safety calculated using the infinite slope equations portrayed a slight mismatch of failure timing compared to the experimental results. These results suggested i) a higher risk ofslope failure under pre-existing groundwater flow and ii) acceleration of the progression of landside due to a potential surcharge flow.