Physical modelling and numerical analysis of slope instability subjected to reservoir impoundment of the Three Gorges

Increasing attention is being given to investigations of failure mechanisms of unstable slopes influenced by water fluctuation during impoundment, such as in the case of reservoir landslides surrounding the Three Gorges, China. In this paper, two typical soil slopes with thin and thick rear edges are considered in a systematic investigation of the large-scale landslides triggered by reservoir impoundment. Physical model test, centrifugal modelling and numerical analysis are presented; these show the deformation evolution process and are aimed at obtaining the physical and mechanical laws that govern deformation and failure of such typical slopes during increasing water levels in a reservoir. The results indicate that deformation of the soil slopes triggered by impoundment can be divided into three stages: the rapid deformation stage, the slow development stage and the convergence creep stage. Moreover, deformation increases rapidly in the initial water level increase, and deformation growth slows with continued increase in water levels. Although the failure modes of the two typical slopes were not identical, the deformation in both started when soil softening occurred, suggesting that the initial phase of water level rise is likely the most dangerous phase with respect to soil slope stability. The results are likely to provide a foundation for further disaster mechanism studies, as well as disaster prevention and reinforcement design of reservoir soil slopes.