Landslide model test system and its application on the study of Shiliushubao landslide in Three Gorges Reservoir area

Abstract

Catastrophic landslides are not uncommon in the Three Gorges area in China during rainy seasons. It is anticipated that the frequency of landslides will increase as a result of the impoundment of the reservoir of the Three Gorges Hydropower Station, and this has prompted geotechnical researchers to pay special attention to the problem. This paper introduces a landslide model test system, which allows studying of landslides induced by the combined effect of reservoir impoundment and rainfall. The system consists of a large flume with hydraulic lifting facilities, a set of computer-controlled surface sprinklers and pipes to simulate rainfall and reservoir impoundment, as well as a comprehensive instrumentation and data acquisition system. A model test carried out to study the Shiliushubao landslide, which occurred in the Three Georges Reservoir area, is presented to demonstrate the potential application of the test system. It is shown that the horizontal and the vertical displacements are abruptly increasing, when the reservoir impoundment and rainfall are combined, which cause the failure of the model slope.