Sensitivity analysis of factors affecting gravity dam anti-sliding stability along a foundation surface using Sobol method

The anti-sliding stability of a gravity dam along its foundation surface is a key problem in the design of gravity dams.In this study,a sensitivity analysis framework was proposed for investigating the factors affecting gravity dam anti-sliding stability along the foundation surface.According to the design specifications,the loads and factors affecting the stability of a gravity dam were comprehensively selected.Afterwards,the sensitivity of the factors was preliminarily analyzed using the Sobol method with Latin hypercube sampling.Then,the results of the sensitivity analysis were verified with those obtained using the Garson method.Finally,the effects of different sampling methods,probability distribution types of factor samples,and ranges of factor values on the analysis results were evaluated.A case study of a typical gravity dam in Yunnan Province of China showed that the dominant factors affecting the gravity dam anti-sliding stability were the anti-shear cohesion,upstream and downstream water levels,anti-shear friction coefficient,uplift pressure reduction coefficient,concrete density,and silt height.Choice of sampling methods showed no significant effect,but the probability distribution type and the range of factor values greatly affected the analysis results.Therefore,these two elements should be sufficiently considered to improve the reliability of the dam anti-sliding stability analysis.

Effects of spatial variation in cohesion over the concrete-rock interface on dam sliding stability

The limit equilibrium method （LEM） is widely used for sliding stability evaluation of concrete gravitydams. Failure is then commonly assumed to occur along the entire sliding surface simultaneously.However, the brittle behaviour of bonded concrete-rock contacts, in combination with the varying stressover the interface, implies that the failure of bonded dam-foundation interfaces occurs progressively. Inaddition, the spatial variation in cohesion may introduce weak spots where failure can be initiated.Nonetheless, the combined effect of brittle failure and spatial variation in cohesion on the overall shearstrength of the interface has not been studied previously. In this paper, numerical analyses are used toinvestigate the effect of brittle failure in combination with spatial variation in cohesion that is taken intoaccount by random fields with different correlation lengths. The study concludes that a possible existenceof weak spots along the interface has to be considered since it significantly reduces the overallshear strength of the interface, and implications for doing so are discussed.

Seismic stability assessment of an arch dam-foundation system

A seismic stability assessment of arch dam-foundation systems is presented using a comprehensive approach,in which the main factors that significantly influence the seismic response of an arch dam-foundation system are considered.A large scale finite element model with over 1 million degrees of freedom is constructed for the Baihetan arch dam(289 m high),which is under construction in the Southwest of China.In particular,the complicated geological conditions with faults intersecting interlayer shear weakness zones at the dam base and the dam abutment resisting force body is modeled in the analysis.Three performance indices are adopted to assess the seismic stability of the arch dam.The results demonstrate that the opening of the joints of the Baihetan arch dam is small and the water stop installed between the joints would not be torn during a design earthquake.The yielding formed in the interface between the dam and foundation does not reach the grouting curtain that would remain in an elastic state after an earthquake.The yielding zones occurring on the upper portion of the dam faces extend 1/8 thickness of block section into the dam body and thus cantilever blocks need not be concerned with sliding stability.The faults and interlayer shear weakness zones in the near field foundation exhibit severe yielding,and a potential sliding surface is penetrated.Although the factor of safety against sliding of the surface fluctuates with a decreased trend during an earthquake,the minimum instantaneous value reaches 1.02 and is still larger than 1.0.Therefore,a conclusion is drawn that the Baihetan arch dam-foundation system will remain stable under the design earthquake.

Application of strength reduction method to dynamic anti-sliding stability analysis of high gravity dam with complex dam foundation

Considering that there are some limitations in analyzing the anti-sliding seismic stability of dam-foundation systems with the traditional pseudo-static method and response spectrum method, the dynamic strength reduction method was used to study the deep anti-sliding stability of a high gravity dam with a complex dam foundation in response to strong earthquake-induced ground action. Based on static anti-sliding stability analysis of the dam foundation undertaken by decreasing the shear strength parameters of the rock mass in equal proportion, the seismic time history analysis was carried out. The proposed instability criterion for the dynamic strength reduction method was that the peak values of dynamic displacements and plastic strain energy change suddenly with the increase of the strength reduction factor. The elasto-plastic behavior of the dam foundation was idealized using the Drucker-Prager yield criterion based on the associated flow rule assumption. The result of elasto-plastic time history analysis of an overflow dam monolith based on the dynamic strength reduction method was compared with that of the dynamic linear elastic analysis, and the reliability of elasto-plastic time history analysis was confirmed. The results also show that the safety factors of the dam-foundation system in the static and dynamic cases are 3.25 and 3.0, respectively, and that the F2 fault has a significant influence on the anti-sliding stability of the high gravity dam. It is also concluded that the proposed instability criterion for the dynamic strength reduction method is feasible.

Seismic stability analysis of concrete gravity dams with penetrated cracks

The seismic stability of a cracked dam was examined in this study. Geometric nonlinearity and large deformations, as well as the contact condition at the crack site, were taken into consideration. The location of penetrated cracks was first identified using the concrete plastic-damage model based on the nonlinear finite element method （FEM）. Then, the hard contact algorithm was used to simulate the crack interaction in the normal direction, and the Coloumb friction model was used to simulate the crack interaction in the tangential direction. After verification of numerical models through a case study, the seismic stability of the Koyna Dam with two types of penetrated cracks is discussed in detail with different seismic peak accelerations, and the collapse processes of the cracked dam are also presented. The results show that the stability of the dam with two types of penetrated cracks can be ensured in an earthquake with a magnitude of the original Koyna earthquake, and the cracked dam has a large earthquake-resistant margin. The failure processes of the cracked dam in strong earthquakes can be divided into two stages： the sliding stage and the overturning stage. The sliding stage ends near the peak acceleration, and the top block slides a long distance along the crack before the collapse occurs. The maximum sliding displacement of the top block will decrease with an increasing friction coefficient at the crack site.

Seismic stability safety evaluation of gravity dam with shear strength reduction method

A new method of numerical seismic stability safety evaluation for a rock slope is proposed based on the analysis of a gravity dam foundation subjected to earthquake loading. The shear strengths of the weak discontinuities are divided by different shear strength reduction ratios （K） and numerical seismic analysis is carried out after the static analysis is completed. With different K values, the curves of the permanent horizontal displacement of key points of the dam foundation （K-displacement curves） are studied. According to the curve change, the distribution of plastic zones in the foundation, and the slow convergence of the finite element method （FEM）, the seismic stability safety factor is defined as Kwhen the gravity dam is in the limit equilibrium state subjected to earthquake loading. These concepts were applied to the evaluation of seismic stability safety of a gravity dam for a hydropower project. The analysis of the example shows that the proposed method is feasible and is an effective method of seismic stability safety evaluation.

Stability and reinforcement analyses of high arch dams by considering deformation effects

The strict definition and logical description of the concept of structure stability and failure are presented. The criterion of structure stability is developed based on plastic complementary energy and its variation. It is presented that the principle of minimum plastic complementary energy is the combination of structure equilibrium, coordination condition of deformation and constitutive relationship. Based on the above arguments, the deformation reinforcement theory is developed. The structure global stability can be described by the relationship between the global degree of safety of structure and the plastic complementary energy. Correspondingly, the new idea is used in the evaluations of global stability, anchorage force of dam-toe, fracture of dam-heel and treatment of faults of high arch dams in China. The results show that the deformation reinforcement theory provides a uniform and practical theoretical framework and a valuable solution for the analysis of global stability, dam-heel cracking, dam-toe anchorage and reinforcement of faults of high arch dams and their foundations.

Numerical three-dimensional modeling of earthen dam piping failure

A physically-based numerical three-dimensional earthen dam piping failure model is developed for homogeneous and zoned soil dams.This model is an erosion model,coupled with force/moment equilibrium analyses.Orifice flow and two-dimensional(2D)shallow water equations(SWE)are solved to simulate dam break flows at different breaching stages.Erosion rates of different soils with different construction compaction efforts are calculated using corresponding erosion formulae.The dam's real shape,soil properties,and surrounding area are programmed.Large outer 2D-SWE grids are used to control upstream and downstream hydraulic conditions and control the boundary conditions of orifice flow,and inner 2D-SWE flow is used to scour soil and perform force/moment equilibrium analyses.This model is validated using the European Commission IMPACT(Investigation of Extreme Flood Processes and Uncertainty)Test#5 in Norway,Teton Dam failure in Idaho,USA,and Quail Creek Dike failure in Utah,USA.All calculated peak outflows are within 10%errors of observed values.Simulation results show that,for a V-shaped dam like Teton Dam,a piping breach location at the abutment tends to result in a smaller peak breach outflow than the piping breach location at the dam's center;and if Teton Dam had broken from its center for internal erosion,a peak outflow of 117851 m'/s,which is 81%larger than the peak outflow of 65120 m3/s released from its right abutment,would have been released from Teton Dam.A lower piping inlet elevation tends to cause a faster/earlier piping breach than a higher piping inlet elevation.

Analysis and evaluation on seepage stability of Hongxing reservoir dam,Heilongjiang

Hongxing reservoir was constructed on the floodplain of Hulan River in Heilongjiang. The geological problem of the reservoir is the seepage of the dam base and its related seepage stability. The leakage of the reservoir is caused by the water head differences between the upstream and downstream of the dam. Severe seepage could decrease the engineering benefits of the reservoir. Moreover,infiltration function of water will influence the safety of the dam. Through the analysis on the granule constitute and the formation of the dam base,the types of the seepage failure apt to happen were defined and the anti-infiltration and the permissible depression ratio were determined. Using the numerical simulation software GMS,the two-dimension numerical modeling has been carried out to analyze the seepage field of the reservoir. Through the two conditions modeling with concrete impervious wall and no concrete impervious wall,the largest flow rate,single-wide seepage discharge and the max infiltration gradient of the dam base were calculated. According to the permeable depression ratio of the dam base,the seepage stability of Hongxing reservoir dam base was analyzed.

Rock Slope Stability Problems in Wadi Quaz-Dam Site No. 2, Jeddah-Saudi Arabia

The present investigation deals with the engineering geological studies of soil and rock masses in the Wadi Quaz area-Dam No. 2, East of Jeddah. Wadi Quaz area-Dam No. 2, East of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia often faces floods during rainy seasons, so it is so urgent to investigate the area before building any dam or preventing water from flow. Preventing water from flow will produce new dangerous factors such as uplift force which may cause the dam failure. To have a better understanding of the factors that may affect the slope stability, many rock slope locations are observed in detail to assess the effect of discontinuities formed in the rock masses. Fieldwork and Laboratory tests were carried out on soil and rocks. Soils included identification of soil type using unified soil classification system, permeability, water content and field density were done for soils. Rocks include identification of physical and mechanical properties such as: rock type, degree of weathering, rock strength, RQD, joint spacing measurements, and geometric properties (Dip, and Dip direction). Different methods were used to evaluate the potential failure in the studied area depending on rock mass rating and slope stability analysis. The well-known classification of rock masses titled Rock Mass Rating system [1] was used for categorizing the rock masses in the studied area besides slope mass rating [2] which would help to estimate the rock stability. The kinematical analysis was applied to investigate the potential failure mode which might occur in the dam abutments. This paper will provide the stability of dam abutments in both summer season and winter season besides general estimation of the seepage problems related to the soil and according to its permeability.

Mosul Dam Problem and Stability

Mosul Dam is located on the River Tigris about 60 km northwest Mosul in Iraq. It is the biggest dam where its storage capacity reaches 11.11 billion cubic meters at normal operational level (330 m. above sea level). The dam was constructed on alternating beds of karistified limestone, gypsum and marl. This dam suffered from water seepage under its foundation since its operation in 1986. Grouting operations were implemented since that time to overcome this problem. This seepage is believed to be due to dissolution of gypsum beds under the foundation, which was not carefully considered by the designers. It was recommended by the international board of experts that the water level should be kept at or below 319 m.a.s.l. to minimize damages in case of the failure of the dam. ISIS occupied the dam site on 8 August 2014 and it was seized back from the hands of ISIS on the 16th of the same month. They did plenty of damage despite the short period they occupied the area. After that, the Iraqi Ministry of Water Resources rebuilt the damaged parts and used new grouting and maintenance program. Now, the dam looks very safe at 319 m water level at its reservoir. In addition, the impounding was raised 325 m.a.s.l. for few days and nothing abnormal was noticed.

Application of material strength reserve method to the stability analysis of earth dam of feilaixia multipurpose project

The material strength reserve method is practical in the study of the stability and failure mechanism of earth dam by analysing the development of failure zone of different shear strength parameters of the earth mass of the dam. The stability in the concrete dam and ensemble architecture has got general application while analysing. In combination with Feilaixia Multipurpose Project, application of this method to earth dam stability analysis was studied by plane Finite Element Method(FEM) for the first time. Through plane FEM, we can get the failure mechanism of earth dam and appraise to the security, for operating and managing put forward some reference suggestions.

Applying Empirical Methods to Assess the Internal Stability of Embankment Dam Cores of Glacial Till

This paper presents a database of glacial till gradations that are compiled from laboratory internal stability tests from the literature and from core soils of existing dams, some of which have experienced internal erosion. The potential internal instability of these gradations is assessed using empirical methods. Two approaches of evaluation are used: the Kenney-Lau method, which analyzes the shape of the gradation curve;and the Burenkova method, which uses factors of uniformity of the slope of the gradation. Although they include some uncertainties in terms of soils with fines, these methods, which are primarily developed from laboratory studies of sand and gravels, are used in engineering practice to evaluate widely graded soils that include fines, such as glacial tills. This study evaluates the glacial till gradations of the database using these approaches and discusses their applicability and relative predictive success. This study indicates that both the Kenney-Lau method and the Burenkova method have merit, but a closer analysis indicates that the Kenney-Lau approach has relatively better predictive ability based on the glacial till gradations analyzed in this study.

A Study of the Crustal Stability in the Yangtze Three Gorges Area

The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River is situated on the intact rock mass composed of diorite granite at the southern termination of the Huangling block which, as a sub plate with a double layer structure (crystalline basement and sedimentary cover) in the Chinese inland, keeps a constant but slow uplift as a whole since its formation in the Indoncisia movement. Tectonic deformation within the block is not significant, with the exception of a slight southeastward tilt. The block is confined by many active structures, of which the sub longitudinal Yuanan and Xiannvshan ( Mount Fairy ) deep fault zones are the main strongly seismogenic zones. The Yuan’an fault zone represents a regional boundary among West Henan, West Hubei and West Hunan mountainous regions as well as the Nanyang, Jianghan and Dongting Lake basins, with a total length of more than 1,000 km. Two M 6 5 earthquakes (in Changde and Nanyang) occurred in the fault zone in historic time and the distance between the two epicenters is about 500 km. The Mount Fairy fault zone extends northward along the Xiangxi River and ends at the Qingfeng fault. It runs a total length of more than 220 km. southward across Yuyang Pass and then its trace is unknown. The fault zone has a tectonic condition for occurrences of M 6.0 earthquakes. The possible seismic risk for the dam may come from these two strong seismogenic zones. Thus the seismic intensity to influence the dam is estimated to be Ⅵ～Ⅶ and the horizontal peak acceleration to be 0 1～0 15 g.

Stability analysis of left bank at Tengzigou Hydropower Station

The stability analysis is one of the chief problems at hydropower stations.The Tengzigou Hydropower Station is a significant project in Southwest China.The authors analyzed the engineering geological features and evaluated the stability of rock mass on left bank.For determining the parameters of rock mass stability on left bank,we adopted the method of numerical value calculation according to the theory of rigidity limited equilibrium,which will provide the theoretical evidences for this project.

Dam Safety in Jordan: Factors Affecting Dam Safety, Responsibilities and Required Actions

Dams in Jordan are exposed to a variety of natural and manmade threats like dams worldwide, but with some peculiar threats due to Jordan’s semi-arid climate, steep topography, tectonic activity, especially along the Jordan Rift Valley, position in the turbulent Middle East area, and weak socio-economic situation. In this study, the threats facing the main dams in Jordan are discussed and their sources are defined. The responsible agencies for reducing the threats and eliminating their sources are identified, as long as they are manmade. Natural threats are dealt with as superimposed and Jordan has to adapt to them by taking the necessary protective measures. The study concludes that all dams in Jordan are threatened by climate change and siltation and hence reduction in storage. The quality of stored water in dams, which are used for supplying drinking water such as Al-Wehdah, Wadi Al-Arab, Ziglab, Al-Wala and to a certain extent Al-Mujib is threatened by pollution due to urbanization, agricultural and industrial activities. All dams in Jordan are exposed to sabotage threats, which may negatively affect dams’ water quantities and quality. The stability of dams due to engineering failures is observed in the cases of Al-Kafrain, the left abutment of Al-Mujib, the spillway of Wheidi and eventually Al-Wala Dam. The latter was raised based on unique construction technology. The study recommends developing and implementing, as soon as possible, rigorous action plans to eliminate or, minimize the impacts of threats facing dams in Jordan.

边坡工程与堤坝工程研究进展

边坡稳定性问题是土力学的三大经典问题之一,由于其受地质、环境等复杂因素影响始终无法完全解决。近年来,随着我国交通强国、一带一路及西部大开发等国家战略的相继实施和推进,土木、交通、水利等领域中的边坡工程与堤坝工程又面临许多新的难题和挑战。该文简要评述边坡工程与堤坝工程的国内外研究现状,主要包括三个方面:边坡稳定性理论与方法、堤坝灾害机理与分析方法以及边坡和堤坝工程加固技术,重点探讨土坡与堤坝的破坏机理、灾变数值模拟方法、稳定性分析理论与安全评价等研究的最新进展,并展望未来研究方向。随着地质学、地震学、土壤学、生物学、计算力学、人工智能等学科发展,交叉学科的互融共通将有力促进土坡工程与堤坝工程的科技进步。

考虑人体与水流相互作用的溃坝洪水生命损失评估模型

溃坝洪水会给下游人民群众造成巨大的生命损失,开展溃坝洪水造成的生命损失风险定量评估对应急抢险救灾具有重要的现实意义。本文在已有生命损失贝叶斯网络HURAM1.0模型基础上,引入了人体稳定性物理模型,考虑人体与水流相互作用关系,对处于洪水中的人先进行稳定性判定,并进行溺水判定,运用蒙特卡洛模拟方法,综合了水深和水流速对生命损失的影响,建立HURAM2.0模型;并将该模型应用于唐家山堰塞坝溃坝洪水生命损失分析。结果表明:HURAM2.0模型建立了水流流速对生命损失影响的定量关系,更精确地刻画了人体在水流中的稳定性和求生能力,相比HURAM1.0模型对较强洪水强度条件下的生命损失预测结果更准确。同时,在本文建立的模型中,除水深度、洪水严重程度变化不大,其余变量的敏感性均有所上升,其中居民区住宅层数、在建筑物中庇护情况和溃坝时长等变量对模型计算结果的最大影响程度分别增加142%、95%和93%,加强了模型在低、中、高3类洪水强度下的解释性,与HURAM1.0相比在贝叶斯反演分析中更占优势。在唐家山堰塞坝溃坝风险分析中,HURAM2.0能区分出不同水流速条件下的生命损失,更符合实际情况,即开挖泄流槽前风险大、死亡率高,在现场勘测和开挖泄流槽后风险及死亡人数大大降低,建议结合预警疏散以降低生命损失风险。

堆石混凝土层间界面抗剪稳定力学性能试验研究

层间抗剪稳定分析是重力坝设计中的一项重要工作,是重力坝剖面设计和坝基处理设计的主要依据之一。建立在塑性力学上限定理基础上的萨尔玛(Sarma)法,为重力坝抗剪稳定分析提供一个理论基础更加严密、应用范围更广泛的方法。对比混凝土抗剪指标、分析堆石混凝土抗剪力学性能、裂缝产生及剪力传递理论,提出了堆石混凝土层间界面抗剪稳定力学性能特征,该特征能够体现出不同的破坏模式。试验数据来源于实际工程,研究结果基于实际工程堆石混凝土重力坝试验仓,可为堆石混凝土应用推广提供借鉴作用。

高寒高海拔地区尾矿库坝体渗流变形及稳定性研究

为研究渗流作用下尾矿坝变形规律,本文以西藏地区某高寒高海拔地区尾矿库坝体为研究对象,通过分析降水和无降水两种工况下坝体变化情况,研究渗流作用对坝体稳定性的影响。研究结果表明:降水对坝体渗流作用具有显著影响,这种增强的渗流作用直接影响了坝体的稳定性。通过研究渗流作用下的坝体变形规律,可以为尾矿库的设计和改进提供重要参考,进一步提高其抗渗性能和抗震性能,确保其长期安全运行。因此,这项研究成果不仅对于解决西藏地区高寒高海拔环境下尾矿库安全稳定性问题具有重要意义,也为类似环境下水工建筑的安全管理提供了有益启示。