Large-Scale Model Test of a Micropile Group for Landslide Control

A large-scale model test on the interaction between a micropile group and a landslide was conducted, to investigate the effect of micropiles on the landsides prevention. The bearing mechanism, force condition, and failure mode of a micropile group for reinforcing landslide were analyzed in detail. The results showed that the thrust force over micropiles induced by landslide showed a trapezoidal distribution, with a higher Earth pressure near the sliding surface. The resistance from the sliding body behind the pile behaved in a parabolically trend. Meanwhile, the resistance force from the sliding bed was distributed unevenly along the height direction, with a higher resistance force near the sliding surface behind the pile. When a landslide occurred, micropiles were subjected to an increase in loading and displacement, eventually to the failure state. The load-bearing sections of the micropiles were all subjected to negative bending moments, with larger bending moments within the half length of pile range near the sliding surface. The maximum negative bending moment occurred at the height of seven times the diameter of the pile above the sliding surface. The damage mode along each row of micropiles was almost the same, showing a damage area within the range of three times the diameter of the pile above and below the sliding surface. The failure of micropile induced by landslides was mainly due to a combination effect of bending and shearing near the sliding surface.