Based on prototype slopes in disaster areas of ‘5•12 ’ Wenchuan Earthquake

two types of horizontally layered model slopes including hardness-upward or softness-upward

are designed to do the large-scale shaking table test with the geometric scale of 1:100. Following the law of similitude

the seismic responses of model slopes could be investigated with different input wave kinds

frequencies

excitation directions and amplitudes. The macro phenomena indicate that; the deformation and failure processes were dependent on seismic parameters and lithological combinations

they demonstrated cumulative effect and were controlled by rock layers. The softness-upward model slope occurred a landslide with high potential along the upmost contact surface

and displayed the tension and shear failure mode. By contrast

the hardness-upward model slope occurred a collapse along the deeper contact surface without obvious control cracks beforehand

and its time of failure was behind the softness-upward model slope’s