Study on evolutionary characteristics of toppling deformation of reverse-dip layered rock slope based on surface displacement monitoring data

In this paper, a comprehensive analysis of spatiotemporal characteristics of reverse-dip slope toppling is conducted by taking the Xiaodongcao slope as an example. First, a spatial partitioning analysis of toppling deformation is performed based on the field reconnaissance and interpretation of engineering geological data. Then, the variations of toppling deformation in time domain are analyzed for different areas of the slope with monitored data of surface displacement. Finally, the isochrones of toppling displacement evolution are constructed by using inverse distance weighted interpolation of surface monitoring data at discrete locations. The results presented in the study have shown that: (1) the displacement at the rear of the slope is dominated by vertical deformation, whereas the horizontal deformation is predominant at the slope front which also controls the overall deformation of the bank slope; (2) the overall evolution of slope deformation is dominated by the strip area at the center of the slope. In particular, the overall deformation of the slope lags behind the central region, and the displacement in this strip area could trigger an overall displacement of the bank slope. It is thus inferred that the stripe area serves as the locked segment for the toppling deformation of the slope.