Simulating Crack Development and Failure Characteristic of Toppling Rock Slope under Seismic Loading on Lancang River in China

Abstract Toppling rock slopes, induced by rapid and continuous downcutting of Lancang River, are widely distributed in the mountainous area southwest China. To investigate instability mechanism 1# toppling slope Huangdeng Hydropower Station under seismic loading, particle flow code (PFC) is applied to simulate dynamic response failure mode. The study considers characteristics displacement, velocity, energy, cracks. According numerical results, potential identified: multisliding surfaces form at interfaces between highly moderately toppled mass highly/moderately weak toppled-crept mass; intersecting faults cut toe, leading shear-toppling deformation; tension cracks develop, penetrate, coalesce mass, resulting tension-toppling-bending deformation. During 2 5 s strong intensity, crack increases sharply energy particles fluctuates greatly. impacts amplitude loading method PFC investigated. This will provide a practically useful reference for design slopes.