Abstract: The deformation and stability analysis of high steep slopes is a key technical problem in the construction and operation of hydropower projects. Over the past two decades, China has built a large number of large-scale water conservancy and hydropower projects. Many key technical problems of high dams and large reservoirs have been solved successfully, and remarkable progress has been achieved in the life cycle performance evolution and safety control of high, steep slopes of reservoirs. This paper takes the performance evaluation of high steep slopes in the southwest hydropower projects as the main research line, and focuses on the deformation and stability evolution of high steep slopes. We examine the research progress in determining the influencing factors of stability and failure modes of high steep slopes, stability evaluation and deformation analysis methods, seepage analysis, and safety control. The latest researches are discussed in detail on the strict three-dimensional limit equilibrium method, modified Hoek-Bray wedge method, rigid body spring method, parameter inversion method based on monitoring data, and slope seepage analysis. We also discuss the academic thinking and technical route and certain future challenges to the life-cycle deformation and stability evolution analysis of high steep slopes in hydropower engineering.

Key words: failure mode of reservoir and dam slope, stability analysis, three-dimensional limit equilibrium method, wedge method, rigid body spring method, deformation and seepage analysis