Simulation of landslide-induced surges and analysis of impact on dam based on stability evaluation of reservoir bank slope

Instability of bank slopes and their failures in reservoirs have become an increasing concern in evaluating potential hazards of hydraulic projects in China as larger hydropower engineering projects have been in operation in the past decade. To provide a quantitative evaluation of such hazards, an evaluation framework has been presented to analyze bank slope stability, identify potential slope failure bed surfaces, and evaluate wave impacts of landslide-induced surges in reservoirs. In this joint analysis framework, reservoir bank slope instability and potential failure surfaces are determined with TFINE model, a nonlinear Finite Element Method (FEM) program using Deformation Reinforcement Theory; the motion of slope failures and resulting surge waves in reservoirs and potential flooding are simulated with COMCOT tsunami simulation package. The work flow and feasibility of this analysis framework are demonstrated through a case study of Guopu slope in Laxiwa reservoir in Southwest China. Three potential failures of Guopu slope are identified through stability analysis and the modeling results of indicate that the potential landslide failures would generate waves with maximum amplitude of 20.9 m in the reservoir, but unlikely causing significant damage to the dam.