ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the back-analyses work on a large-scale model slope experiment conducted in Zhejiang University. Numerous desk studies have been conducted to investigate the performance of slope subjected to a sudden drawdown, but most of the previous numerical studies usually focused on a specific assumed slope and no experiments were carried out to verify the analysis results. Sudden drawdown of water level usually occurs to an earth dam or an embankment along a river or a coastal line due to the climate change, sudden breaching or periodical tide. The sudden drawdown usually affects the stability of the slope on the verge of water and even causes slope failures. When the water level outside the slope drawdown for 0.7 m at the 40th minute, the first slide block formed and slide downward with a rapid speed. The phreatic lines inside the slope show a significant delay relative to the water level outside the slope.
