Evaluation of Dynamic Behavior of Bedrock Foundation Based on FEM and DEM Simulations

The seismic behavior of the bedrock foundation during earthquakes concerns the stability and safety of nuclear power plants. Discontinuities like joints and faults existing in rock masses affect significantly the dynamic behavior of bedrock. The dynamic FEM （finite element method） has been commonly utilized to analyze the seismic responses of bedrock, however, it cannot well represent the large deformation behavior of discontinuities. The DEM （distinct element method） has a better capability of simulating the sliding and separation of discontinuities existing in the bedrock, which influence the propagation of seismic waves. In this study, the dynamic FEM and DEM simulations were carried out to investigate the seismic behavior of the bedrock foundation under a nuclear power plant, and the differences between those two methods were illuminated. Numerical simulation results indicate that the FEM underestimates the attenuation effect of faults on the propagation of seismic waves. With the capability of simulating large deformation behavior of discontinuities, the DEM can be regarded as a better method for studying the seismic responses of bedrock foundation which contains discontinuities.

SEEPAGE CONTROL OF WEAKENED ROCK FOUNDATION OF GEZHOUBA ERJIANG-SLUICE

It is the presence of weakened intercalations that makes the foundation of Gezhouba Erjiang-Sluice complex. Seepage control installation must be able not only to reduce seepapge pressure, but also to protect weakened intercalations from encroachment of seepage. In this paper theoretical analysis has been conducted to prove that well system is highly effective seepage control installation meeting this demand. By means of in-situ monitoring it has been verified that proposed seepage control measure relying mainly on drainage is of success. Seepage stability of weakened intercalations must be considered in employing drains to control seepage, while the seepage deformation of weakened intercalations is different from that of ordinary sand-gravel. Mechanism of seepage deformation of weakened intercalations has been expounded. Seepage wedging is a special type of seepage deformation for weakened intercalations, It is shown clearly that seepage deformation of intercalations does not mean seepage failure of the foundation. In such a foundation as that of Gezhouba sluice, the permeability is distributed randomly. So the seepage field is an unstable, stochastic field.

Effects of foundation rocking and uplifting on displacement amplification factor

Prediction of displacement demand to assess seismic performance of structures is a necessary step where nonlinear static procedures are followed.While such predictions have been well established in literature for fixed-base structures,fewer bodies of researches have been carried out on the effect of rocking and uplifting of shallow foundations supported by soil,on such prediction.This paper aimed to investigate the effect of soil structure interaction on displacement amplification factor C1 using the beam on nonlinear Winkler foundation concept.A practical range of natural period,force reduction factors,and wide range of anticipated behavior from rocking,uplifting and hinging are considered and using thousands nonlinear time history analysis,displacement amplification factors are evaluated.The results indicate that the suggested equations in current rehabilitation documents underestimate displacement demands in the presence of foundation rocking and uplift.Finally,using regression analyses,new equations are proposed to estimate mean values of C1.

3-D fracture network dynamic simulation based on error analysis in rock mass of dam foundation

Accurate 3-D fracture network model for rock mass in dam foundation is of vital importance for stability,grouting and seepage analysis of dam foundation.With the aim of reducing deviation between fracture network model and measured data,a 3-D fracture network dynamic modeling method based on error analysis was proposed.Firstly,errors of four fracture volume density estimation methods(proposed by ODA,KULATILAKE,MAULDON,and SONG)and that of four fracture size estimation methods(proposed by EINSTEIN,SONG and TONON)were respectively compared,and the optimal methods were determined.Additionally,error index representing the deviation between fracture network model and measured data was established with integrated use of fractal dimension and relative absolute error(RAE).On this basis,the downhill simplex method was used to build the dynamic modeling method,which takes the minimum of error index as objective function and dynamically adjusts the fracture density and size parameters to correct the error index.Finally,the 3-D fracture network model could be obtained which meets the requirements.The proposed method was applied for 3-D fractures simulation in Miao Wei hydropower project in China for feasibility verification and the error index reduced from 2.618 to 0.337.

Analytical evaluation and experimental validation on dynamic rocking behavior for shallow foundation considering structural response

The challenge in the practical application of rocking foundations is the estimation of its performance,particularly the rotation angle,during a strong earthquake.In this study,the dynamic rocking behavior for a shallow foundation considering structural response was evaluated through two analytical approaches:the conventional soil-foundation-structure interaction(SFSI)governing equation of a single-degree-of-freedom(SDOF)structure on a rocking shallow foundation,and the Housner rocking model(i.e.,a rocking rigid block on a rigid base).Both approaches were validated with dynamic centrifuge tests.The test models consisted of a soft soil deposit,a shallow rectangular foundation,and an SDOF structure dominated by a bending behavior.A total of 11 foundation-structure systems and six seismic waves,including recorded earthquake signals and sinusoidal waves,were utilized.The results showed that the conventional SFSI equation well predicted the maximum rotation during strong earthquakes.However,this method was less accurate regarding the rotational phase information and maximum rotation of the foundation during weak earthquakes.On the other hand,although the modified Housner′s rocking model required five parameters relevant to a soil-foundation-structure system,it overestimated the maximum rotation of the foundation when compared with the results from dynamic centrifuge tests.

Analysis of foundation sliding of an arch dam considering the hydromechanical behavior

This paper presents the application of a methodology which can be used to assess arch dam foundation stability,using the discrete element method(DEM)and the code 3DEC.A global three-dimensional model of a dam foundation was developed,in which some discontinuities were simulated and both the grout and drainage curtains were represented.The model,calibrated taking into account recorded data,was used to carry out nonlinear mechanical analysis.The same model was employed to perform a hydraulic analysis,based on equivalent continuum concepts,which allowed the water pressure pattern within the foundation to be obtained.These water pressures were applied on discontinuities involved in the possible sliding mechanism along the dam/foundation interface,and the safety of the dam/foundation system was evaluated using a process of reduction of strength characteristics,with the aim of calculating the minimum safety factors that ensure stability.Results were compared with those obtained with the usual bi-linear uplift pressure distribution at the base of the dam,commonly used in concrete dam design.The relevance of carrying out hydraulic analysis in arch dam foundation failure studies is highlighted.

Towards an optimization design of seepage control：A case study in dam engineering

High dams generally suffer from higher seepage risks in their foundations, and seepage control is an important technology for limiting the amount of leakage and improving the stability of the foundations. In this study, a procedure was proposed for optimization design of seepage control system in large-scale hydropower projects, which relies on sufficient characterization of site conditions and proper quantification of the performance of the seepage control system. The proposed procedure was applied to the design of seepage control system in the Mengdigou Hydropower Station consisting of a double-curvature arch dam201 m in height. An optimized layout of the seepage control system, including the extended length of grout curtain, the rows of grouting holes and the spacing of drainage holes, was suggested. The proposed procedure provides a guide with lower risk and higher confidence for performance assessment and optimization design of seepage control systems in high dam engineering.