# Experimental Study on the Deformation and Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Forest Slopes
###### Abstract  
In this paper, model tests on a plain soil slope and a bamboo-rooted slope under slope top loading were carried out to analyze the slope surface displacement, the change in earth pressure, and the failure mode of the slope. Furthermore, the influence of rainfall on the deformation and mechanical properties of bamboo-rooted slope sliding was studied. The results show that: (1) the failure mode of the plain soil slope was block sliding failure, while the failure mode of the bamboo-rooted slope was progressive backward failure. (2) Under the slope top load, the slope displacement shows the rule that the top of the slope was large and the foot of the slope was small. The presence of bamboo rhizomes had a negligible effect on the slope displacement, but it significantly contributed to the sliding area's increase. (3) Compared with the plain soil slope, the earth pressure in the area of the foot of the slope under the same level of the load was elevated more obviously by the bamboo-rooted slope, which indicates that bamboo rhizomes could play a specific role in reinforcing the slope. Still, the scope of its influence was limited and mainly concentrated in the shallow soil. (4) There was a significant increase in the displacement of the bamboo-rooted slope under rainfall conditions, and the magnitude of the upward slope earth pressure was small in the process of step-by-step loading. The test results may have important guiding significance for the in-depth study of the instability law and disaster prevention in bamboo forest areas. b  
internal stress variations of the slopes during the slide. Numerical simulations can tightly control the uniqueness of variables, but test results are generated under ideal conditions and do not accurately reflect the failure of slopes. Model tests have excellent intuition, can control single variables more accurately, simulate complex boundary conditions, and reflect landslides' intrinsic interaction under conditions that satisfy similar principles [13]. The study of model tests on slopes in bamboo forest areas by domestic and overseas scholars is still in its infancy, but model tests on slopes using different types of plants still have strong reference implications. [PERSON] et al. [14] conducted an experimental model study of groundwater-level-induced slope instability in willow roots. They explored the effect of willow roots on slope stabilization and failure modes. [PERSON] et al. [15] compared the changes in the soil hydraulic properties of three different vegetated slopes under rainfall conditions. They analyzed the effect of separate plant roots on the soil penetration coefficient. [PERSON] et al. [16] carried out two sets of centrifuge model tests on vegetated slopes and bare slopes under rainfall conditions. The results show that the infiltration capacity of the vegetated slopes is higher than that of the non-vegetated slopes, and that slopes with well-developed root networks may experience more significant deformations prior to failure. [PERSON] et al. [17] revealed the variation pattern between soil shear strength depreciation and slope erosion, runoff coefficient, and soil slip rate by four groups of vegetated slope rainfall model tests. [PERSON] et al. [18] studied the failure of three plant slopes under the same rainfall condition. They found that the plant's root morphology had a more significant effect on the stability of the slopes, and that their strengthening effect was ranked from highest to lowest by Bermuda grass, Chinese holly, and tall fescue. Most of the above results focus on the influence of plants with strong reinforcement on slope stability and their modification of soil mechanical and hydraulic properties. However, bamboo forest slopes, which are prone to landslides, have yet to be explored in depth.