Coupling effect of seepage flow and river flow on the bank failure

On the basis of the generalized physical model of the riverbank, the experiments were conducted to study the mechanisms of riverbank failure under the coupling effect of seepage flow and river flow. The experimental setup was specially designed, as well as test point location, parameters and procedures, and the main influencing factors were analyzed affecting riverbank failure based on the failure types, the variations of pore water pressure and soil displacement. The results indicated that the coupling effect has different influences on the bank failure in three aspects: the failure type, the process and the extent. In addition, the river flow played a more important role than the seepage flow in the coupling effect on the bank failure.