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.

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.

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.

Refined mathematical model for the breaching of concrete-face sand-gravel dams due to overtopping failure

Overtopping is one of the main reasons for the breaching of concrete-face sand-gravel dams(CFSGDs).In this study,a refined mathematical model was established based on the characteristics of the overtopping breaching of CFSGDs.The model characteristics were as follows:(1)Based on the Renormailzation Group(RNG)k-εturbulence theory and volume of fluid(VOF)method,the turbulent characteristics of the dam-break flow were simulated,and the erosion surface of the water and soil was tracked;(2)In consideration of the influence of the change in the sediment content on the dam-break flow,the dam material transport equation,which could reflect the characteristics of particle settlement and entrainment motion,was used to simulate the erosion process of the sand gravels;(3)Based on the bending moment balance method,a failure equation of the concrete face slab under dead weight and water load was established.The proposed model was verified through a case study on the failure of the Gouhou CFSGD.The results showed that the proposed model could well simulate the erosion mode of the special vortex flow of the CFSGD scouring the support body of the concrete face slab inward and reflect the mutual coupling relationship between the dam-break flow,sand gravels,and concrete face slabs.Compared with the measured values,the relative errors of the peak discharge,final breach average width,dam breaching duration,and maximum failure length of the face slab calculated using the proposed model were all less than 12%,thus verifying the rationality of the model.The proposed model was demonstrated to perform better and provide more detailed results than three selected parametric models and three simplified mathematical models.The study results can aid in establishing the risk level and devising early warning strategies for CFSGDs.

Investigation of the 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake damages to the Zipingpu Water Control Project and an assessment of its safety state

On May 12, 2008, a major earthquake measured 8 on the Richter scale jolted Wenchuan County in Si- chuan Province, China with the epicentral intensity of XI degrees. Zipingpu Dam is located 17.17 km from the epicenter and the influence intensity at the damsite reached IX―X degrees. It is the first time in the world for such a high concrete-faced rockfill dam (CFRD) in China to experience such a strong earthquake occurring in such a short distance. Due to its location of special importance to the down- stream areas, the safety state and damaging condition of the Zipingpu Dam has attracted great atten- tions from various circles. Based on site investigation of the damages to the Zipingpu Dam and com- parison analysis of the observation data obtained before and after the earthquake, the paper makes a comprehensive assessment of the key technical issues relevant to this high CFRD, including its safety state and the high slope stability after the earthquake.

Strengthening of the concrete face slabs of dams using sprayable strain-hardening fiber-reinforced cementitious composites

In this study,sprayable strain-hardening fiber-reinforced cementitious composites(FRCC)were applied to strengthen the concrete slabs in a concrete-face rockfill dam(CFRD)for the first time.Experimental,numerical,and analytical investigations were carried out to understand the flexural properties of FRCC-layered concrete slabs.It was found that the FRCC layer improved the flexural performance of concrete slabs significantly.The cracking and ultimate loads of a concrete slab with an 80 mm FRCC layer were 132%and 69%higher than those of the unstrengthened concrete slab,respectively.At the maximum crack width of 0.2 mm,the deflection of the 80-mm FRCC strengthened concrete slab was 144%higher than that of the unstrengthened concrete slab.In addition,a FE model and a simplified analytical method were developed for the design and analysis of FRCC-layered concrete slabs.Finally,the test result of FRCC leaching solution indicated that the quality of the water surrounding FRCC satisfied the standard for drinking water.The findings of this study indicate that the sprayable strain-hardening FRCC has a good potential for strengthening hydraulic structures such as CFRDs.