Interpretation of Small-Scaled Model Test for Uniform Clay Slope Design

作者：Wang, Xiaoliang; Zhou, Mi^*; Zhang, Xihong

来源：Journal of Testing and Evaluation, 2023, 51(6): 4174-4189.

DOI：10.1520/JTE20220565

• uniform clay slope
• model test
• scale effect
• similarity principles
• sliding arc
• safety factor

Small-scaled model tests under normal gravity are widely used to examine slope stabilities and failure mechanisms. Nevertheless, in practice, it is impossible to comply to all similarity principles, which could affect the modeled results in the prototype. This paper performs finite element analyses to investigate the behavior of uniform clay slopes as commonly performed in a 1g model test without following similarity principles. The numerical model is validated with previously published data. A parametric study is then carried out with varying slope scales, soil properties, etc. Based on extensive numerical modeling data, four formulas are established to correlate and interpolate the sliding surface and safety factor of a model slope in a 1g test. A framework is proposed to interpret 1g model-scale test results for applications in slope designs.

• 单位
  test; TEST; 广州大学