Abstract：Bedding rock slope is one of the common slope types. The intensive studies have been done for its slope deformation，failure characteristics and formation mechanism. Generally，it is believed that slip-rupture and slip-bending are main characteristics of deformation and failure of bedding rock slope. Through the collection of systemic references and great amounts of location investigation，it is found that there is another typical form of deformation and failure for steep bedding rock slope，namely，toppling deformation. Combining the typical engineering cases of steep bedding rock slopes with deformation and failure characteristics，the geological conditions and the deformation and failure characteristics of this kind slope are summarized and analyzed. Based on these studies，it is shown that in the process of valley evolution and slope-formation and under the maximum principal stress at the foot of slope，which is parallel to slope，rock stratum bends from top to bottom as a cantilever beam，finally its root will be broken off，and a toppling body comes into being. When the maximum shear stress is greater than the shear strength in the snapped zone of the slope，it will slip and landslide happens.
