Failure Mechanisms of Post-Earthquake Bedrock Landslides in Response to Rainfall Infiltration

Among the triggering factors of postearthquake bedrock landslides, rainfall plays an important role. However, with slope variation, the mechanism of its effects on the failure of rock landslides is not clear. Here, from the viewpoint of fracture mechanics, and based on post-earthquake conditions, the mechanisms of crack propagation, water infiltration and development of the sliding surface were investigated. Then, according to the upper boundary theorem, the effects of water infiltrated into fractures on the stability of rock slopes were analyzed quantitatively. Finally, an example is presented to verify the theory. The results show that the propagation and coalescence of cracks and the lubrication of incipient sliding surfaces are the main causes of the failure of post-earthquake rock landslides in response to rainfall.