A novel physical temperature triggering (PTT) method for simulating slope deformation in laboratory testing: Preliminary testing

This study presents a novel physical temperature triggering (PTT) method to simulate slope deformation induced by geomaterial strength reduction in slope physical model tests. The fundamental principle, material constituents, and experimental methodology are initially comprehensively elucidated. The PTT approach employs a composite material consisting of stainless steel balls as skeleton and transparent jelly wax as bonding agent, whose mechanical properties vary with temperature. Subsequently, a slope model test is conducted, and the results are compared with the theoretical analysis. Finally, utilizing the PTT in application tests, four concave and convex slopes with varying degrees of curvature are examined. The results show that the slope model, using the PTT method, reproduced a typical slope deformation process, with the sliding surface position closely matching the results from three limit equilibrium methods. The stability of the concave slopes is higher than that of the convex slopes. Greater curvature causes a larger deformed area in concave slopes, while for convex slopes, smaller curvature results in a larger deformed area. The PTT method enables simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly laboratory experiments with precise control over material weakening.