Failure Mode of Steep Bedding Slopes Undergoing Strong Earthquake

A bunch of steep bedding slopes collapse during period of Wenchuan earthquake, which are usually stable in gravitational circumstances. Field observation also witnesses several typical seismic phenomena in this kind of slope. A few shaking table tests are undertaken to track the shaking wave effect on response of this kind of rock slope. These tests target on slope models with varied rock inclinations and earthquake magnitudes. The accelerometers and earth pressure sensors are embedded in individual slope model to track the seismic response and amplification features. It is suggested that the steep bedding slope turns a pushing slide during strong earthquake. The area of the failure zone is strongly affected by the lithology, meaning that failure area in the soft rock slope is approximate 1.5 times of that in the hard rock slope. The earth pressure amplifying effect is not as much obvious as the acceleration amplifying effect at the same location. The outcomes can help mitigate the loss by seismic landslide hazard.