Abstract: Finite element software ANSYS was used to establish a numerical model to research the rock slope containing intermittent joints under earthquake. Numerical simulation results showed that: under earthquake action, the stability coefficient of rock slope with intermittent joints was influenced by the length density, rate of connectivity, spreading directions of structural planes; the displacement amplification effect and deformation accumulation effect of joint surface were obvious. In the early stage of earthquake action, the damage of rock bridges was very violent, and then the damage continued under earthquake. The deformation and failure of slope stabilized until after large amplitude band. Moreover, the internal stress of the rock bridges fluctuated remarkably under earthquake, and the tension action and shearing action together led to the final failure of the noncoalescence regions; the contact sliding distance and frictional stress between layers distributed very unevenly, and the dynamic response of joints at different positions were quite different.

Key words: rock slope, failure mechanism, earthquake action, intermittent joints, numerical simulation, timehistory curve of displacement