Abstract: On the basis of previous research results of river bank collapse, we reviewed the classifications of bank collapse types, summarized the influencing factors of river bank collapse into three categories inclusive of flow condition, river boundarycondition, and other factors. We further concluded the research progress of river bank collapse from aspects of numerical simulation and generalized model test. Furthermore, we analyzed and discussed the deficiencies of current research on the mechanism of river bank collapse. Such deficiencies are: factors are not considered comprehensively enough; numerical technologies lack perfection; and the accuracy of generalized model needs to be improved. Last but not the least, we put forward the key points and suggestions for future research work.

Key words: bank collapse, flow, river boundary conditions, numerical simulation, generalized model test