Seepage simulation of high concrete-faced rockfill dams based on generalized equivalent continuum model

This research focused on the three-dimensional(3 D) seepage field simulation of a high concrete-faced rockfill dam(CFRD) under complex hydraulic conditions. A generalized equivalent continuum model of fractured rock mass was used for equivalent continuous seepage field analysis based on the improved node virtual flow method. Using a high CFRD as an example, the generalized equivalent continuum range was determined, and a finite element model was established based on the terrain and geological conditions, as well as structural face characteristics of the dam area. The equivalent seepage coefficients of different material zones or positions in the dam foundation were calculated with the Snow model or inverse analysis. Then, the 3 D seepage field in the dam area was calculated under the normal water storage conditions, and the corresponding water head distribution, seepage flow, seepage gradient, and seepage characteristics in the dam area were analyzed. The results show that the generalized equivalent continuum model can effectively simulate overall seepage patterns of the CFRD under complex hydraulic conditions and provide a reference for seepage analysis of similar CFRDs.

A simplified physically-based breach model for a high concrete-faced rockfill dam:A case study

A simplified physically-based model was developed to simulate the breaching process of the Gouhou concrete-faced rockfill dam （CFRD）, which is the only breach case of a high CFRD in the world. Considering the dam height, a hydraulic method was chosen to simulate the initial scour position on the downstream slope, with the steepening of the downstream slope taken into account; a headcut erosion formula was adopted to simulate the backward erosion as well. The moment equilibrium method was utilized to calculate the ultimate length of a concrete slab under its self-weight and water loads. The calculated results of the Gouhou CFRD breach case show that the proposed model provides reasonable peak breach flow, final breach width, and failure time, with relative errors less than 15% as compared with the measured data. Sensitivity studies show that the outputs of the proposed model are more or less sensitive to different parameters. Three typical parametric models were compared with the proposed model, and the comparison demonstrates that the proposed physically-based breach model performs better and provides more detailed results than the parametric models.

Technical Progress on Researches for the Safety of High Concrete-Faced Rockfill Dams

The concrete-faced rockfill dam(CFRD) is an important dam type in the selection of high dams to be constructed in Western China,owing to its direct utilization of local materials,good adaptability,and distinct economic advantages.Over the past decades,China has gained successful experience in the construction of 200 m CFRDs,providing the necessary technical accumulation for the development of 250–300 m ultra-high CFRDs.This paper summarizes these successful experiences and analyzes the problems of a number of major 200 m CFRDs around the world.In addition,it discusses the key technologies and latest research progress regarding safety in the construction of 250–300 m ultra-high CFRDs,and suggests focuses and general ideas for future research.

Reservoir water effects on earthquake performance evaluation of Torul Concrete-Faced Rockfill Dam

This study presents earthquake performance analysis of the Torul Concrete-Faced Rockfill （CFR） Dam with two-dimensional dam-soil and dam-soil-reservoir finite element models. The Lagrangian approach was used with fluid elements to model impounded water. The interface elements were used to simulate the slippage between the concrete face slab and the rockfill. The horizontal component of the 1992 Erzincan earthquake, with a peak ground acceleration of 0.515g, was considered in time-history analysis. The Drucker-Prager model was preferred in nonlinear analysis of the concrete slab, rockfill and foundation soil. The maximum principal stresses and the maximum displacements in two opposite directions were compared by the height of the concrete slab according to linear time-history analysis to reveal the effect of reservoir water. The changes of critical displacements and principal stresses with time are also shown in this paper. According to linear and nonlinear time-history analysis, the effect of the reservoir water on the earthquake performance of the Torul CFR Dam was investigated and the possible damage situation was examined. The results show that the hydrodynamic pressure of reservoir water leads to an increase in the maximum displacements and principal stresses of the dam and reduces the earthquake performance of the dam. Although the linear time-history analysis demonstrates that the earthquake causes a momentous damage to the concrete slab of the Torul CFR Dam, the nonlinear time-history analysis shows that no evident damage occurs in either reservoir case.

Research on the Seepage Safety Monitoring Indexes of the High Core Rockfill Dam

The study on developing the reasonable safety monitoring indexes plays a most importantly role in the health monitoring of high core rockfill dams. However, researches on this topic are relatively scarce both at home and abroad. In this paper, the characteristics and failure modes of seepage in high core rockfill dam are analyzed firstly. Then, a safety monitoring index based on seepage quantity, which reflects the overall seepage behavior, is developed, using the real-time monitoring data and its safety monitoring model. Moreover, another safety monitoring index based on seepage gradient, reflecting the local seepage behavior, is proposed, combining the spatial layout of osmo- meters and local failure mechanisms of core wall. Additionally, one more safety monitoring index based on permeability coefficient, which considers the overall and local seepage behaviors, is developed, on the basis of establishing the finite element analysis model and real-time seepage coefficient inversion analysis model of high core rockfill dam. A case study on these indexes of Nuozhadu high core rockfill dam is developed, which improves the reliability of seepage safety evaluation of the dam.

Fuzzy Earthwork Dynamic Allocation and Optimization for Construction of High Concrete Face Rockfill Dam

Due to the complexity of earthwork allocation system for the construction of high concrete face rockfill dam,traditional allocation and planning are not able to function properly in the construction process with strong randomness.In this paper,the working mechanism of earthwork dynamic allocation system is analyzed comprehensively and a solution to fuzzy earthwork dynamic allocation is proposed on the basis of uncertain factors in the earthwork allocation of a hydropower project.Under the premise of actual situation and the experience of the construction site,an all-coefficient-fuzzy linear programming mathematical model with fuzzy parameters and constraints for earthwork allocation is established according to the structure unit weighted ranking criteria.In this way,the deficiency of certain allocation model can be overcome.The application results indicate that the proposed method is more rational compared with traditional earthwork allocation.

Dynamic response of concrete face rockfill dam affected by polarity reversal of near-fault earthquake

In China,an increasing number of high concrete face rockfill dams(CFRDs)are located in high intensity earthquake zones,some of which are close to the seismic fault line.Recordings suggest that near-fault ground motions are characterized by large one-sided velocity pulses.The conventional dynamic analysis of dams,however,neglects the features of strong ground movements.In this study,under different ground motion levels some numerical dynamic studies considering the one-sided broadband pulses of near-fault earthquakes are presented for CFRDs based on a generalized plasticity model for rockfill materials.The results indicate that the displacements of dam crest corresponding to positive and reverse input of near-fault ground motion make a significant difference,while the displacements of the dam crest under artificial seismic waves are similar.Furthermore,using the horizontal and vertical components as simultaneous excitations near the faults,the displacements of the dam crest before and after reversing the motion produce a larger difference than that using a single component.More importantly,the difference of horizontal displacements of the dam crest caused by polarity reversal of near-fault ground motions increases with the increase of earthquake intensity.Due to the randomness and uncertainties of earthquakes,using a stochastic near-field motion input as excitation without considering the polarity(i.e.,positive vs reversed waveform),does not necessarily obtain a conservative result.

250 m级特高面板堆石坝混凝土面板顺坡向应力控制措施研究

面板应力变形控制是建设250 m级特高混凝土面板堆石坝的关键难题.大量工程实测案例和研究计算表明,特高面板坝压应力常处于较高水平,对于坝轴向应力来说,采用柔性缝降低压应力措施已被工程界普遍接受,然而,目前对于如何降低面板顺坡向压应力尚缺少有效的解决方法.本文以拟建的240 m级GS面板坝为研究对象,从特殊增模区布置、面板施工顺序、面板低高程柔性横缝、高压力区高强度混凝土材料等4个方面提出改善面板顺坡向应力的工程措施.文中通过三维有限元精细模拟方法分析了提出的顺坡向应力改善措施的效果,文中提出的措施可为250 m面板堆石坝面板应力控制提供借鉴.

Three-dimensional seismic response analysis of a concrete-faced rockfill dam on overburden layers

Reasonable seismic response analysis of a high rockfill dam is of great engineering significance in guiding its design and ensuring its seismic safety during operation,especially of a concrete-faced rockfill dam(CFRD)on overburden layers.The three-dimensional seismic behavior of the Miaojiaba CFRD is simulated and analyzed by the finite element method(FEM).The results indicate that:1)the amplification coefficient along the dam axis gradually increases with the altitude,and reaches maximum at the dam crest;2)the vertical residual deformation mainly exhibits downwards and reaches maximum near the dam crest;3)the earthquake significantly aggravates the deformation of peripheral joints;4)the impounding condition and overburden characteristics have great effects on the dam's seismic response.

高心墙堆石坝接触黏土与岸坡接触特性的离心模型研究

为了提高砾石土心墙与岸坡之间的变形协调性,高心墙堆石坝通常在心墙与岸坡之间设置高塑性黏土,统称为接触黏土,接触黏土的变形特性对高心墙的应力变形性状和心墙的安全性有重大影响。开展了4组接触黏土与岸坡接触面的局部离心模型试验,通过调整施加的上覆荷载大小来探讨原型坝体不同高程处的接触面剪切位移发展规律。基于理论分析,提出了一个计算接触黏土与岸坡接触面离心模型试验中边界效应影响范围的解析表达式,以确定接触面离心试验中试验模型的相似比尺。试验结果表明:在原型坝体的不同高程处,接触黏土与岸坡之间均会产生一定的剪切位移,但不会出现分离现象;接触黏土和砾质心墙土变形主要以竖向下沉为主,并且接触黏土与砾质心墙土之间的沉降等值线变化较为连续,未出现陡变情况,这说明接触黏土起到了很好地协调变形的作用,因此在进行高心墙堆石坝的结构安全性分析过程中应考虑接触黏土与岸坡的接触效应。

库水骤升条件下特高心墙堆石坝渗流及坝坡稳定性分析

为分析库水骤升对特高心墙堆石坝的渗流特性及坝坡稳定性的影响,以某特高心墙堆石坝实际情况为例,建立有限元分析模型,采用饱和-非饱和非稳定渗流理论,对库水骤升阶段渗流场进行了数值模拟,并将非稳定渗流场与极限平衡法相结合分析了坝坡稳定性。研究结果表明:库水骤升过程中,心墙内浸润线变化相对库水位变化表现出明显的滞后性,浸润线呈现“下凹”形状,且水位骤升速率越快,向下弯的程度也越大;库水骤升阶段,心墙内非稳定渗流等势线整体向上游偏移;库水骤升对上游坝坡稳定性具有有利影响,下游坝坡由于心墙较好的防渗性,基本保持不变。

特高混凝土面板堆石坝的结构分区研究

面板堆石坝变形控制的前提是保证坝体各分区的施工质量,而这与坝体分区结构设计关系密切。在坝体分区结构设计环节中,差异过大的主次堆石分区会导致面板出现过大的挠度变形,同时也容易产生开裂、脱空等问题。通过三维非线性有限元分析计算,着重从结构设计理论的角度分析了特高面板堆石坝应力变形特性的影响因素。结合某特高混凝土面板堆石坝,设计了坝体的不同分区方案,从计算结果的对比分析中得出了特高坝的建议分区原则:若次堆石区填料材料特性较差,应尽可能保证次堆石区靠近下游,同时主堆石区和次堆石区分界线应靠近下游;尽量避免次堆石区设置在坝顶范围,以免在次堆石区产生较大的竖向位移对坝顶及上游坝面的影响;全断面采用主堆石区或减小主次堆石区变形模量的差异性,有利于坝体的变形协调。

Theory and practice of construction simulation for high rockfill dam

Construction simulation for high rockfill dam (CSHRD) is the technology that takes advantage of computer simulation to observe and analyze a complex construction process, which is useful for construction design and management. In this paper, the domestic and oversea research status of CSHRD is reviewed firstly, along with introduction of their present achievements and deficiencies, and the CSHRD theory is also described. Then, considering the influence of many stochastic factors, integrated simulation for high rockfill dam construction (HRDC) is presented with technologies of cycle operation network (CYCLONE) and computer simulation. It rationally combines two subsystems in HRDC, namely haulage and placement of rockfill subsystem, which reflects the actual construction objectively. Important parameters, such as the haulage intensity and traffic density, are obtained, and the process of CSHRD is represented intuitively in dynamic visualization. All of these help engineers to make rapid decisions in HRDC scientifically.

Confining pressure effect on dynamic response of high rockfill dam

Studies show that the dynamic properties of rockfill are strongly dependent on the confining pressure.Therefore,confining pressure effect has become a very important factor in the seismic analysis of high rockfill dam.The relationships of dynamic shear modulus versus dynamic shear strain and damping ratio versus dynamic shear strain had been improved to a certain degree on the basic of widely used Hardin-Drnevich constitutive model in this paper.Then a new model that could consider confining pressure effect has been established.Regression analysis was carried out of the dynamic triaxial experimental data of the damming materials in the Changheba hydropower station of Sichun Province,China.The results show that,the new model can fit the test data well under various confining pressures.A corresponding computational procedure was compiled and applied in the dynamic response analysis of the Changheba Dam.Comparing the calculation results between the new constitutive model and the ordinary Hardin-Drnevich model,it can be seen that the result is conservative to some extent without considering confining pressure effect.

深厚覆盖层上高土石坝坝基廊道安全性研究

工程实践表明,建造在深厚覆盖层地基上的高堆石坝坝基廊道漏水问题仍然十分严峻,此类廊道连接坝基防渗墙和坝体心墙,结构和受力情况复杂,影响因素较多,是整个防渗系统的薄弱部位,研究廊道的破坏模式和规律,完善其结构设计理论,是当前亟待解决的重要课题.本文结合已建工程的实际情况,分析了坝基廊道运行过程中存在的具体问题,并建立了考虑廊道周围结构网格的精细化模拟、混凝土徐变、廊道与周围土体接触等多种影响因素的廊道计算模型,通过计算得到的廊道应力分布规律与廊道中实测钢筋应力分布规律一致,数值也比较相近,证明该方法能够合理反映廊道应力变形特性.分析表明:廊道拉应力主要出现在两岸基岩和覆盖层交界位置附近,及廊道内部顶拱和底板部位;廊道结构缝破坏形式与结构缝位置密切相关;当覆盖层河谷两岸坡度存在非对称性时,廊道在基岩和覆盖层交界位置会产生不同形式的裂缝,在陡坡侧容易出现环向裂缝,在缓坡侧容易出现剪切性质的斜裂缝,且缓坡侧的横河向拉应力、底板的顺河向拉应力值和范围均比陡坡侧大.

砾石土心墙料的湿化变形特性试验研究

针对砾石土心墙料,采用大型应力式三轴仪开展了单线法湿化变形试验,较系统地研究了湿化应变与应力水平、围压之间的变化规律。依据试验成果,砾石土心墙料的湿化变形是明显的,且与应力水平、围压密切相关,在高围压、高应力水平条件下,外力改变了试样的饱和状态,砾石土样品逐渐从非饱和状态过渡到饱和状态,砾石土料存在应力饱和现象,导致湿化过程中没有明显的湿化变形。当围压较小时,湿化应变随应力水平的增大而增大,当围压增大到一定量值时,湿化应变反而随应力水平的增大而减小,呈现明显的分叉现象,表现出更加复杂的规律。最后提出了砾石土料湿化变形模型及模型参数,提出的砾石土料湿化模型可作为高土石坝湿化变形分析的基础。

考虑压实特性的高心墙堆石坝非线性多孔弹性分析

传统高心墙堆石坝结构与渗流性态研究忽略了坝料物理、力学与渗透等压实特性的空间非均质性,且缺乏考虑渗透系数随外部荷载作用的变化,难以客观真实反映大坝结构与渗流性态.基于Biot固结理论框架,通过坝料改进多输出预测模型获得压实特性空间分布,采用Kozeny-Carman模型考虑渗透系数演化规律,推导考虑坝料压实特性的大坝非线性多孔弹性模型应力场与渗流场控制方程,从而建立耦合压实特性的非线性多孔弹性模型,并进一步基于约束随机场进行大坝结构与渗流性态精细有限元模拟,实现高心墙堆石坝非线性多孔弹性分析.结果表明:相比未考虑压实特性影响、未考虑渗透系数随外部荷载作用变化的模型,该模型对于大坝心墙沉降计算值与监测值之间的R^(2)分别提高0.222和0.288,更利于进行大坝应力安全分析,心墙区渗透系数呈现明显的竖向分布,可以更好地反映大坝实际结构与渗流性态,研究结论可为进一步研究大坝压实质量控制提供理论依据.

基于弹塑性模型参数反演的高土石坝地震响应预测

合理准确描述堆石料的力学特性是高土石坝地震响应预测和安全评价的重要前提。以特高心墙坝填筑期变形的监测结果为目标值开展了三维反演分析,获取了反映大坝真实状态的坝料广义塑性模型和邓肯张E-B模型的参数,探讨了两种本构模型描述高土石坝变形的精度,随后采用反演的广义塑性模型参数开展了高土石坝的地震响应预测及安全评价。结果表明:目前反演分析常用的邓肯张E-B模型无法兼顾竖向和水平变形,且反演参数无法用于动力分析;静动统一的广义塑性模型计算的竖向和水平位移均与实测结果吻合良好,并可直接用于大坝的动力响应预测。所建立的一整套基于弹塑性模型参数反演的高土石坝地震响应预测分析方法,可为高土石坝的安全评价和风险预警提供可靠的技术支撑。

特高堆石坝砾石土心墙非均质缺陷对渗流场影响分析

砾石土心墙是特高心墙堆石坝防渗系统的关键组成部分,受土料物理特性以及掺料、碾压等施工过程中不确定性因素的影响,心墙砾石土渗透系数表现出一定的非均质性和随机性,对特高堆石坝渗流稳定安全造成重要影响。本文利用分形数学方法刻画出特高堆石坝心墙碾压分层结构及非均质缺陷,三维渗流模拟结果显示,存在非均质缺陷条件下心墙内水位等势线出现抬升,心墙下游面渗透坡降局部发生突变,最大渗透坡降超过允许值,增加下游面渗透破坏风险。砾石土心墙碾压施工过程中应减少欠碾或过碾等质量缺陷,严格控制压实质量。