Abstract: Shaking table model tests on concrete faced rock-fill dams are designed according to the elasticity-gravity similarity rules. Face-slab model materials are developed, and a system for the image collect ion, storage and pattern recognition is presented. On the basis of the results of the PIV analysis and the numerical simulation, t he dislocation mechanism of the face-slab under earthquakes is analyzed, and the results are compared with the real dislocation damage of Zipingpu Dam during Wenchuan Earthquake. The results of the model tests agree with those of numerical simulation . Both of them reveal the slab dislocation phenomenon of Zipingpu Dam. The results show that the main reasons of the face-slab dislocation are the thrust force towards the upstream and the friction force towards the downstream along the slab due to the permanent deformation of the rock-fill . Shaking table model tests can reflect the main damage characteristics of the prototype dams.