Abstract: Based on many actual projects, through investigating slope rock mass containing multi-weak interlayers with different rock dip angles θ, slope angles β and structural face intervals h, safety factors and the location of critical failure surfaces are calculated by the method of Sarma and strength reduction method. Deformation failure mechanism of slope rock mass containing multi-weak interlayers is studied. The result shows: ①Failure mechanism and failure surface of layered rock slope are greatly different under the condition of different θ, it shows a progress of sliding failure, slip split failure, collapse, toppling failure, sliding failure when θ is increasing. ②As β and h are fixed, the stability of vertical layered slope is slightly larger than that of horizontal layered slope; and anti-dip layered rock slope is obviously larger than bedding rock slope. ③β affects the slope instability and damage features directly, and safety factor of bedding rock slope is reduced by nearly 53% as well as 40% reduction for the safe factor of anti-dip stratified rock. ④Effects of h are minor on slope deformation and failure mechanism but significant on stability, strengthening the monitor and reinforcing dense structure surface rock slope in practice are suggested.

Key words: slope engineering, stratified slope, deformation and failure, stability, Sarma method, strength reduction method