A device for rainfall simulation in geotechnical centrifuges

Rainfall-induced slope instabilities are ubiquitous in nature, but simulation of this type of hazards with centrifuge modelling still poses difficulties. In this paper, we introduce a rainfall device for initiating slope failure in a medium-sized centrifuge. This rainfall system is simple, robust and affordable. An array of perforated hoses is placed close above the model slope surface to generate the raindrops. The rainfall intensity depends on the centrifuge acceleration and the flow rate of the water supply, which is controlled by the size and number of the tiny pinholes in the hose walls. The rainfall intensities that are tested range from 2.5–30 mm/h, covering the intensity range of moderate, heavy and torrential rainfall events. Our model test with rainfall-induced slope failure shows that this system is capable of generating relatively uniform rainfall of wide intensities and leads to various patterns of slope failure.