Centrifuge Model Test Study of Structuralized Cemented Slopes under Excavation Conditions

Abstract

Excavation often results in a decrease in the stability level of natural and manmade slopes. To address this issue, a new reinforcement method––structuralized cementation––has recently been introduced to reinforce coarse-grained soil slopes. However, previous studies have not adequately considered the interaction between excavation and structuralized cementation. Consequently, in this study, a series of centrifuge model tests were conducted to investigate the deformation and failure characteristics of structuralized cemented slopes under excavation conditions. It was found that structuralized cemented slopes exhibit significant progressive failure from bottom to top when subjected to excavation. The depth of the slip surface and the safety limit of the structuralized cemented slope increases with an increase in the extent of the solidification zone. During the failure process, slope deformation occurs inside a limited region that expands toward the interior of the slope. Structuralized cementation induces a nonuniform distribution of displacement direction and increases the dilatancy extent of the potential slip surface. The failure mechanism of structuralized cemented slopes can be explained by the significant coupling processes of deformation localization and local failure, which may also elucidate the variation in the position and shape of the slip surface of the slope from using different cement contents. Structuralized cementation reinforces slopes by weakening and delaying the deformation localization of the slope under excavation conditions.