Long-Term Deformation Simulation of Reservoir Bank Slope Considering the Effect of Creep Degradation

Abstract

Long-term deformation and failure of bank slope are main geological hazards in engineering. Many studies focused on the strength degradation of rock mass and the stability of bank slope under the condition of reservoir water level fluctuation. However, few studies analyzed the time-dependent deformation of rock mass under this condition. Based on the creep degradation characteristics revealed by existing creep tests of rock mass with different water contents, a creep damage constitutive model considering water degradation is established. Then, this constitutive model is incorporated into FLAC3D software and verified. Moreover, the model is implemented to simulate the time-dependent deformation of the Majiagou landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir area during the impoundment period. Based on the displacement– time curve of the observation point in the initial stage of impoundment, the creep parameters of rock mass are obtained through back analysis. Subsequently, the time-dependent deformation of the bank slope during impoundment is simulated. The results of numerical simulation reveal the deformation mechanism of the Majiagou landslide considering the effect of creep degradation. This study serves as a reference for preventing geological disasters of relevant reservoir banks.