Abstract: A new type of assembly revetment structure is employed in a channel widening dredging project. The centrifugal model tests are carried out to study the working mechanism of the structure under horizontal loads. The results show that the mechanism is very complicated. Firstly, it is the tenon connection between blocks of the same layer, which makes a certain block work together with the adjacent blocks under horizontal loads. Then, the friction forces at the top and bottom of the block as well as the concave design at the top make the loads rapidly transfer to the upper and lower layers. Finally, the load distribution of the tenon joint with the adjacent blocks in the same layer plays a coupling role. This kind of working mechanism makes the assembly structure distribute the horizontal loads to multiple layers and blocks, which is beneficial to the stability of the whole structure.