Stability influence of weak interlayer rock slope under rainfall
In this study, we investigate the stability of soft rock slopes with weak interlayers under rainfall through indoor model tests and numerical simulations, focusing on a slope in northeast China. Weak interlayers, characterized by low thickness and mechanical strength compared to adjacent rock masses...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Earth Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1564077/full |
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| author | Shuhui Zhang Shuhui Zhang Shuhui Zhang Guangpei Zhu Chong Xu Chong Xu Junxue Ma Junxue Ma Zhiyuan Sun |
| author_facet | Shuhui Zhang Shuhui Zhang Shuhui Zhang Guangpei Zhu Chong Xu Chong Xu Junxue Ma Junxue Ma Zhiyuan Sun |
| author_sort | Shuhui Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, we investigate the stability of soft rock slopes with weak interlayers under rainfall through indoor model tests and numerical simulations, focusing on a slope in northeast China. Weak interlayers, characterized by low thickness and mechanical strength compared to adjacent rock masses, are prone to water-induced softening, threatening slope stability. Key findings reveal the following: 1) rainfall triggers sliding along weak interlayers, accumulating debris at slope toes. Prolonged infiltration reduces rock–soil friction, potentially extending failure zones through slightly weathered tuff; 2) Non-rainfall scenarios induce slope failures primarily at crests and shoulders, whereas rainfall shifts the maximum displacement to the slope feet; 3) Expanding plastic zones under intensified rainfall indicate progressive instability development toward deeper slope surfaces. The results demonstrate rainfall’s critical role in altering failure mechanisms and depth, providing insights for risk mitigation in geotechnical projects involving weak interlayers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0fd0c04e3dc74f2dbdfa8b7acbebfbb2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2296-6463 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Earth Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-0fd0c04e3dc74f2dbdfa8b7acbebfbb22025-08-20T01:50:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632025-05-011310.3389/feart.2025.15640771564077Stability influence of weak interlayer rock slope under rainfallShuhui Zhang0Shuhui Zhang1Shuhui Zhang2Guangpei Zhu3Chong Xu4Chong Xu5Junxue Ma6Junxue Ma7Zhiyuan Sun8General Prospecting Institute of China National Administration of Coal Geology, Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Compound and Chained Natural Hazards Dynamics, Ministry of Emergency Management of China, Beijing, ChinaNational Institute of Natural Hazards, Ministry of Emergency Management of China, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Energy and Mining Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Compound and Chained Natural Hazards Dynamics, Ministry of Emergency Management of China, Beijing, ChinaNational Institute of Natural Hazards, Ministry of Emergency Management of China, Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Compound and Chained Natural Hazards Dynamics, Ministry of Emergency Management of China, Beijing, ChinaNational Institute of Natural Hazards, Ministry of Emergency Management of China, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Applied Science and Technology, Beijing Union University, Beijing, ChinaIn this study, we investigate the stability of soft rock slopes with weak interlayers under rainfall through indoor model tests and numerical simulations, focusing on a slope in northeast China. Weak interlayers, characterized by low thickness and mechanical strength compared to adjacent rock masses, are prone to water-induced softening, threatening slope stability. Key findings reveal the following: 1) rainfall triggers sliding along weak interlayers, accumulating debris at slope toes. Prolonged infiltration reduces rock–soil friction, potentially extending failure zones through slightly weathered tuff; 2) Non-rainfall scenarios induce slope failures primarily at crests and shoulders, whereas rainfall shifts the maximum displacement to the slope feet; 3) Expanding plastic zones under intensified rainfall indicate progressive instability development toward deeper slope surfaces. The results demonstrate rainfall’s critical role in altering failure mechanisms and depth, providing insights for risk mitigation in geotechnical projects involving weak interlayers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1564077/fullsoft rock stratarock slopenumerical simulationrainfall effectstability analysis |
| spellingShingle | Shuhui Zhang Shuhui Zhang Shuhui Zhang Guangpei Zhu Chong Xu Chong Xu Junxue Ma Junxue Ma Zhiyuan Sun Stability influence of weak interlayer rock slope under rainfall Frontiers in Earth Science soft rock strata rock slope numerical simulation rainfall effect stability analysis |
| title | Stability influence of weak interlayer rock slope under rainfall |
| title_full | Stability influence of weak interlayer rock slope under rainfall |
| title_fullStr | Stability influence of weak interlayer rock slope under rainfall |
| title_full_unstemmed | Stability influence of weak interlayer rock slope under rainfall |
| title_short | Stability influence of weak interlayer rock slope under rainfall |
| title_sort | stability influence of weak interlayer rock slope under rainfall |
| topic | soft rock strata rock slope numerical simulation rainfall effect stability analysis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2025.1564077/full |
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