With the rapid development of key projects in China

such as West-to-East Gas Transmission and South-to-North Water Diversion

buried pipelines will inevitably pass through the mountainous area and are affected by regional topography and landforms. However

the interaction mechanism between slope and pipelines is still relatively unclear. In this study

the model tests on sandy slope-pipe interaction under loading are carried out in laboratory based on distributed strain sensing (DSS) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) technologies. The factors influencing the bearing capacity of the foundation are investigated. The failure characteristics of the slope and the structural responses of the buried pipeline are also explored. The research results show that: (1) The slope foundation has undergone three stages: elastic compaction

local shear and overall destruction. The foundation shows asymmetrical wedge-shaped failure pattern. (2) With the increase in slope angle

the ultimate bearing capacity of the foundation decreases. Under the same slope angle

the presence of pipeline reduces the ultimate bearing capacity of the slope foundation. (3) With the increase in slope angle

the influence of the pipeline on the slope failure mechanism increases. (4) Under the loading of the slope

the circumferential strain in the cross-section of the buried pipe is “elliptically” distributed

and an ellipticity calculation formula and a simplified calculation model of the soil resistance around the pipe circumference are proposed. This study can provide a reference for the deformation control and structural design of buried pipelines in sandy slopes.