Abstract: The influence of water level change rate on riverbank collapse was examined via generalized model test and numerical simulation. Results demonstrated that water level fluctuation had significant impact on bank collapse. Particularly, in the stage of water level drawdown, the larger the dropping rate, the more evident the bank collapse. Stability calculation of bank slope revealed that the factor of stability augmented in the stage of water level rising, but once the water level reached a high value, the factor of stability declined at first and then maintained stable; in the stage of water level drawdown, the factor of stability reduced and was closely related to the dropping rate. The research finding offers theoretical basis for analyzing the evolution of bank slope stability under varying water level fluctuation rate and also for taking corresponding treatment measures.

Key words: water level variation rate, bank collapse, bank slope stability, generalized model test, numerical simulation