Physical model tests to determine the mechanism of submarine landslides under the effect of sea waves

Submarine landslides are a common type of disaster which threaten property and the safety of human life. To effectively prevent and control such disasters, we conduct a series of large-scale physical model tests to determine the mechanism of submarine landslides. First, a large-scale physical model test system is designed and developed, including flume test frame, wave-making system, wave-absorbing system, and data monitoring system. In the tests, we investigate the effect of different sea waves by changing the parameters of the wave-making system and the influence of the slope inclination by constructing different models. Data regarding the wave pressure acting on the slope surface, seepage pressure, and displacement are monitored during the test procedure. The test results show that the seepage pressure in the faults varies cyclically with the sea waves and is lower at internal points than at outcrops. If the wave loading time is sufficiently long, the seepage pressure and displacement deformation in the fault zone will gradually increase. In other words, failures in fault zones precede submarine landslides. The weak fault zone provides the preferred sliding surface, and the sea waves supply the external dynamic energy for submarine landslides. The conclusions provide guidelines for similar engineering and research.