Study of shaking table test of seismic subsidence loess landslides induced by the coupling effect of earthquakes and rainfall

Light rain or moderate rain is the most common meteorological event in the rainy season in the loess area of China, so the probability of landslide hazards induced by the coupling effect of earthquakes and rainfall under the condition of light rain or moderate rain is relatively higher than that under heavy rain. To study the dynamic response characteristics and instability mechanism of loess slopes by the coupling effect of earthquakes and rainfall under the conditions of moderate rain and light rain, a low-angle slope model test of a large-scale shaking table after 10 mm of rainfall was carried out. By gradually increasing the dynamic loading, the evolution of the macroscopic deformation and the instability failure mode of the slope model are observed; the temporal and spatial trends of the amplification effect, acceleration spectrum, pore pressure and soil pressure are analyzed; and the failure mechanism of the slope is determined. The results showed that the amplification effect increased along the slope surface upward, and a strong amplification effect appeared at the front of the top of the slope. Because of the stronger dynamic stress action on the upper part of the slope, the immersed soil in the upper part of the slope experienced seismic subsidence deformation, the saturation in the seismic subsidence soil increased, and the water content temporarily increased locally. With the further increase in the loading intensity, a large number of tension cracks were generated in the seismic subsidence area, and water infiltrated down along the cracks and the wetting range expanded under dynamic action. The range of seismic subsidence and cracks further extended to the deep part of the slope. Under the reciprocating action of the subsequent ground motion, the swing amplitude of the soil mass in the seismic subsidence area, which is divided by a large number of cracks in the upper part of the slope, increased further, resulting in the further reduction in the residual strength of the seismic subsidence soil mass located at the crack tip due to the pull and shear action. Finally, under the combined action of gravity and dynamic force, the upper soil mass in the seismic subsidence area dragged the lower soil mass in the seismic subsidence area downward because the sliding force is greater than the residual strength of the soil mass, which induced a seismic subsidence-type loess landslide. Under the coupling effect of earthquakes and rainfall, the instability mode and mechanism of this landslide are significantly different from those of liquefaction-type landslides.