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.

降雨引起的边坡不稳定性在自然界普遍存在，但是使用离心机模型模拟这种类型的危害仍然存在困难。在本文中，我们介绍了一种降雨装置，用于启动中型离心机的边坡破坏。该降雨系统简单，坚固且价格合理。在模型坡面上方紧紧放置一排穿孔的软管，以产生雨滴。降雨强度取决于离心机的加速度和供水流量，这由软管壁上微小针孔的大小和数量控制。测试的降雨强度范围为2.5–30 mm / h，涵盖中度，重度和暴雨事件的强度范围。