Buckling failure analysis and numerical manifold method simulation for high and steep slope: A case study

Buckling failure of layered rock slopes due to self-weight is common in mountain areas, especially for high and steep slope, and it frequently results in serious disasters. Previous research has focused on qualitatively evaluating slope buckling stability and rarely studied the whole process from bending deformation to forming landslide. In this work, considering the tensile and compressive characteristics of rock, the simulation of high and steep slope bucking failure evolved in Bawang Mountain, was conducted by numerical manifold method. The buckling deformation mechanism and progressive failure process of Bawang Mountain high steep slope were studied. The reliability of the numerical method was verified by the comparison of theoretical calculation and field measurement data. The results show that numerical manifold method can accurately simulate high and steep slope buckling failure process by preforming interlayer and cross joints. The process of slope buckling deformation and instability failure can be divided into minor sliding-creep deformation, interlayer dislocation-slight bending, traction by slope toe-sharp uplift, accelerated sliding-landslide formation. Under the long-term action of self-weight, the evolution of slope buckling from formation to landslide is a progressive failure process, which mainly contains three stages: slight bending deformation, intense uplift deformation and landslide formation.