Abstract:The erosion of the soil bank slope by waves in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) significantly affects the ecological and geological environment safety of the reservoir area. The prediction of the erosion range of the bank slope by waves will be an important measure for disaster prevention and mitigation in the TGRA. However, the existing erosion prediction is mainly based on empirical methods, and it is difficult to obtain accurate results. Therefore, by using the energy conservation theory and considering the wave layer thickness and wave velocity changes during the wave run-up, the wave run-up potential energy equation and the friction energy consumption equation were respectively established, from which the prediction equation for the erosion range of the soil bank slope caused by waves was established. In order to obtain the key parameters of the prediction equation, the physical model test of the wave run-up bank slope was carried out, and the flow velocity, layer thickness and run-up law were studied. In order to verify the reliability of the prediction equation, the wave-induced bank slope erosion model test was carried out to obtain the erosion evolution process of the soil bank slope. The results of wave run-up model test shown that the greater the slope of the bank slope is, the higher the wave run-up reaches, and the thickness of the water flow increases, but the velocity of the water flow decreases. According to the test results, the distribution interval of the water flow thickness parameter and the flow velocity parameter were obtained, and the relationship equation among the water flow thickness parameter, the flow velocity parameter and the slope of the bank slope was constructed. The model test results of wave erosion bank slope showed that the greater the dry density of soil, the stronger the erosion resistance of the bank slope, and the longer the time required for the bank slope to reach the final steady state. With more gravel content contained, the stronger the anti-erosion ability of the bank slope was, and the stable time of bank slope erosion was shortened due to the effect of gravel protection. By comparing the final steady state results of bank slope erosion with the results of the prediction equation, it was proven that the prediction equation of erosion range proposed in this paper is reliable. The wave erosion range prediction equation proposed in this paper can be widely used in the prevention and control of erosion disasters on soil bank slopes of reservoirs.