Abstract: A finite element numerical model was established based on the dimensions of the centrifugal test model for a reinforced slope at an airport in southwest China. By adopting the Cvisc creep model and M-C model under step loading, the development and distribution of the displacements, earth pressures and tensile forces of reinforcements of the centrifugal model with time were simulated, and the simulated results were compared with the centrifugal test results. The effects of different geogrid lengths, reduction of geogrid spacing, and modulus increment on reinforced slopes were also examined by using the Cvisc model. Results reveal that the Cvisc model well describes the centrifugal model test under variable acceleration loading, and the time factor reflects the displacement, earth pressure and tensile force of reinforcements of the centrifugal model at different instances. With the increase of reinforcement length, the potential sliding surface moved backward and the slope stability improved. The tensile force of reinforcements and horizontal displacement reached the maximum at 1/3 slope height. Reducing the spacing of the geogrid or increasing the modulus of the geogrid in the range of 1/6～1/2 slope height could be the most effective way of improving slope stability, and the effect of reducing the spacing of geogrid is better than that of increasing the modulus of geogrid.

Key words: reinforced slope, centrifugal model test, numerical simulation, creep model, step loading