Abstract: The differential settlement induced by discontinuous gradient of bank slope is one of the main reasons for transverse cracking and hydraulic fracturing in core earth dams. A series of centrifuge modeling tests and calculations are conducted in this research. The results show that the abrupt change of bank slope can lead to differential settlement which contributes to the transverse cracking in the core dams. The compaction degree of soil is a key factor affecting the formation of transverse cracking and the degree of differential settlement. The hydraulic fracturing owing to the cracks may occur in the core dams with abrupt change of bank slope during rapid reservoir filling.