Abstract: Centrifugal model tests are conducted to study the bearing capacity, deformation rules and effect of slope inclination on failure rules of soil nail-reinforced cohesive soil slopes when they subjected to a vertical load applied to a strip footing. The failure processes are observed photographically and the displacements of slopes are measured. The results show that the slope stability is significantly affected by the surface load. When vertical load increased, soil deformation concentrated; slip surfaces can be noted and propagated which will eventually lead to collapse of the slope. Under the influence of loading process and strip footing, soil nails closer to the slope surface exhibits an intensive interaction with the soil resulting from the increasing load. As the slope inclination increases, the bearing capacity decreases and the soil exhibits much more obvious movement tendency toward slope surface.

Key words: slope top loading, reinforced slope, soil nail, centrifugal model test, failure rules, soil nail deformation