Analysis of Expansive Canal Slope Stability Subjected to Desiccation Crack Dynamics, Hydro-Climatic Seasonality and Water Level Fluctuations

This dataset presents a novel hydro-mechanical coupled numerical model specifically developed to address the complex stability challenges of expansive soil slopes under the combined influences of hydro-climatic seasonality and water level fluctuations. Focusing on canal slopes in expansive soil regions—where pronounced swelling-shrinkage behaviour and abrupt hydraulic changes pose significant stability risks—the model represents a substantial advancement in slope stability analysis. Key Innovations: Strong Solid-Liquid Coupling: The model integrates sophisticated algorithms to simulate the dynamic interactions between soil seepage and the soil skeleton, capturing critical processes such as preferential flow through desiccation cracks and moisture-induced changes in shear strength. Multi-Factor Simulation Capability: It uniquely incorporates three critical factors—desiccation cracking, seasonal climatic variations, and operational water level changes—within a unified framework, enabling the assessment of their synergistic effects on slope stability. Field-Validated Robustness: The model has been rigorously calibrated and validated against real-world data from the Pishihang Irrigation Canal in China, including on-site hydrological records and quantitative crack morphology measurements, ensuring its practical relevance.