Experimental and Numerical Study on the Behaviour of Silica Sand Slope Model Subjected to Surcharge Load

Abstract

Natural disasters such as landslides are becoming more frequent due to global warming. Because of the more frequent occurrences of natural disasters, there is an urgent need for researchers in geotechnical engineering to conduct slope stability analysis. This paper presents the findings of a laboratory experiment and numerical analysis of the behaviour of silica sand under static loading conditions. The laboratory experiment modelled a small-scale slope in a 500mm wide, 1000mm high and 1500mm long acrylic box. The numerical modelling in the experiment employed, Finite Element Modelling (FEM), Plaxis 3D, and the Hardening Soil Model (HSM). The researchers conducted a consolidated-drained (CD) triaxial compression test to determine the parameters of the silica sand. The FEM results are similar to the test results for the maximum loading conditions of 9.6kN/m2. The experimental observation revealed that applying a surcharge load on the top of the slope surface resulted in deformation and bulging. These observations were consistent with and validated the experimental and numerical results. The results of this study will be used to investigate the application of a proposed prototype inclinometer sensor for slope monitoring technology.