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.

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.

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.

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.

Seepage safety monitoring model for an earth rock dam under influence of high-impact typhoons based on particle swarm optimization algorithm

Extreme hydrological events induced by typhoons in reservoir areas have presented severe challenges to the safe operation of hydraulic structures. Based on analysis of the seepage characteristics of an earth rock dam, a novel seepage safety monitoring model was constructed in this study. The nonlinear influence processes of the antecedent reservoir water level and rainfall were assumed to follow normal distributions. The particle swarm optimization （PSO） algorithm was used to optimize the model parameters so as to raise the fitting accuracy. In addition, a mutation factor was introduced to simulate the sudden increase in the piezometric level induced by short-duration heavy rainfall and the possible historical extreme reservoir water level during a typhoon. In order to verify the efficacy of this model, the earth rock dam of the Siminghu Reservoir was used as an example. The piezometric level at the SW1-2 measuring point during Typhoon Fitow in 2013 was fitted with the present model, and a corresponding theoretical expression was established. Comparison of fitting results of the piezometric level obtained from the present statistical model and traditional statistical model with monitored values during the typhoon shows that the present model has a higher fitting accuracy and can simulate the uprush feature of the seepage pressure during the typhoon perfectly.

Variation in hydraulic conductivity of fractured rocks at a dam foundation during operation

Characterizing the permeability variation in fractured rocks is important in various subsurface applications,but how the permeability evolves in the foundation rocks of high dams during operation remains poorly understood.This permeability change is commonly evidenced by a continuous decrease in the amount of discharge(especially for dams on sediment-laden rivers),and can be attributed to fracture clogging and/or hydromechanical coupling.In this study,the permeability evolution of fractured rocks at a high arch dam foundation during operationwas evaluated by inverse modeling based on the field timeseries data of both pore pressure and discharge.A procedure combining orthogonal design,transient flow modeling,artificial neural network,and genetic algorithm was adopted to efficiently estimate the hydraulic conductivity values in each annual cycle after initial reservoir filling.The inverse results show that the permeability of the dam foundation rocks follows an exponential decay annually during operation(i.e.K/K0=0.97e^(-0.59t)+0.03),with good agreement between field observations and numerical simulations.The significance of the obtained permeability decay function was manifested by an assessment of the long-term seepage control performance and groundwater flow behaviors at the dam site.The proposed formula is also of merit for characterizing the permeability change in riverbed rocks induced by sediment transport and deposition.

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.

Prediction of Concrete Faced Rock Fill Dams Settlements Using Genetic Programming Algorithm

In the present study a Genetic Programing model (GP) proposed for the prediction of relative crest settlement of concrete faced rock fill dams. To this end information of 30 large dams constructed in seven countries across the world is gathered with their reported settlements. The results showed that the GP model is able to estimate the dam settlement properly based on four properties, void ratio of dam’s body (e), height (H), vertical deformation modulus (Ev) and shape factor (Sc) of the dam. For verification of the model applicability, obtained results compared with other research methods such as Clements’s formula and the finite element model. The comparison showed that in all cases the GP model led to be more accurate than those of performed in literature. Also a proper compatibility between the GP model and the finite element model was perceived.

Distribution of acceleration and empirical formula for calculating maximum acceleration of rockfill dams

To find the distribution patterns of dynamic amplification coefficients for dams subjected to earthquake, 3D seismic responses of concrete-faced rockfill dams with different heights and different shapes of river valley were analyzed by using the equivalent-linear model. Statistical analysis was also made to the seismic coefficient, and an empirical formula for calculating the maximum acceleration was provided. The results indicate that under the condition of the same dam height and the same base acceleration excitations, with the increase of the river valley width, the position of the maximum acceleration on the axis of the top of the dam moves from the center to the riversides symmetrically. For the narrow valleys, the maximum acceleration occurs in the middle of the axis at the top of the dam; for wide valleys the maximum acceleration appears near the riversides. The result negates the application of 2D dynamical computation for wide valleys, and shows that for the seismic response of high concrete-faced rockfill dams, the seismic coefficient along the axis should be given, except for that along the dam height. Seismic stability analysis of rockfill dams using pseudo-static method can be modified according to the formula.

Study on main contents of design of rock fill dam with face slab

With the development of economy, the adjustment of industrial structure, the improvement of people＇s living standard and the expansion of urbanization, the structure of the city has changed a lot. The proportion of industrial use of electricity decreased year by year, the proportion of household electricity, commercial electricity and public utilities increased year by year, the peak and valley change increased year by year. Therefore, the construction of hydropower project, to improve the current situation of the system of regulating the power grid, has a positive role in promoting. Reinforced rock fill dam with face slab in foreign countries has been built and at the dam more than 50m high dam more than 70 seats, of which more than 100m high dam 18. At present, Brazil estuary aliya rock fill dam is the highest dam in this kind of dam in the world, built in 1980, has been running well. Our reinforced rock fill dam with face slab design and construction technology in the introduction of digestion and absorption of foreign advanced experience in the foundation, the systemic research on a considerable scale. The design level and construction technology of the rock fill dam with face slab in our country have reached the international advanced level by the complete technology of the construction of the 100m level rock fill dam with face slab. This paper mainly from the rock fill dam with face slab, dam type selection and layout of water conservancy project comparison; dam profile design; detail dam; dam high determined; stability analysis; strength calculation; overflow capacity check aspects were studied.

Effect of Seismic Permanent Deformation on Safety and Stability of Earth-Rock Dam Slope

In order to study the effect of seismic permanent deformation on the safety and stability of earth-rock dam, the permanent deformation is considered as the non-design permanent load, and the stress-strain hysteresis curve is also considered when the earth is under cyclic load. The research work can make the calculation results of plastic collapse more accurate by including the effect of the post-earthquake degree of plastic deformation on the stability of the earth-rock dam, and the dam safety factor decreases from 2.50 to 1.90 after the magnitude-8 earthquake. Moreover, the research work will also improve the design of the earth-rock dam under abnormal operating conditions.

Dynamic Risk Assessment Index System for Earth-Rock Dam during Construction

During the construction of earth-rock dam,mutual exclusive construction goals such as quality,safety,progress and cost all have influences on each other,with risk factors being everchanging as the construction progresses.Accurate identification of the risk factors,as well as clearing any possible effect that any risk factors might have on the construction project is the key and foundation to our cooperative control of the construction goals.According to the construction planning of earth-rock dam,the hall3 D structure was used to identify the potential changes of risk factors,and the possible means of any risk factors to interfere with the construction goals.The dynamic risk assessment index system is established by deploying the WBS-RBS(work breakdown structurerisk breakdown structure)method,aiming at the construction goals of earth-rock dam.The case study shows that the index system is very effective at risk management of earth-rock dam during construction,and relatively practicable.

Comparison between the Isotope Tracking Method and Resistivity Tomography of Earth Rock-Fill Dam Seepage Detection

This paper compares the different inversion results of three different earth rock-fill dam models with the actual leakage passages by performing isotope tracing tests and resistivity tomographic tests. The accuracy of the experimental results is evaluated, and the characteristics of these two methods are analyzed. As a result, some significant references are offered for earth rock-fill dam’s hidden defects detection. The experimental results show that the leakage and the direction of the seepage can be judged by isotope tracing tests, meanwhile, the degree of the leakage can be confirmed through the determination of the horizontal seepage velocity and the vertical seepage velocity, but it is difficult to properly determine the position of leakage passages and the range of leakage. Relatively speaking, the positions of the leakage passages can be accurately and directly displayed through resistivity tomographic tests. The experiment results show that the resistivity tomographic method is much better than isotope tracing method with regard to earth rock-fill dam’s hidden defects detection, and the resistivity tomographic method expresses much more convenience and much higher precision than isotope tracing method.

沥青混凝土心墙堆石坝心墙拱效应研究

心墙拱效应是影响土石坝安全稳定运行的重要因素,心墙力学特性复杂且受众多因素的影响,复杂地形地质条件对心墙拱效应具有重要影响。首先对比了直心墙、斜心墙、下直上斜式心墙拱效应的差异,在此基础上选取岸坡坡度、河谷宽度、覆盖层厚度以表征坝体所处的地形地质条件。基于数值计算定量研究复杂地质条件对沥青混凝土心墙拱效应的影响规律。结果表明:心墙应力拱效应主要集中在心墙中部3/4坝高附近及靠近岸坡处;斜心墙应力拱效应相对较小,可以很好地改善心墙的整体受力状况;岸坡变陡,斜心墙整体的拱效应强度增加,应力传递的核心区域由心墙中部拓宽至心墙两岸坡;随着河谷宽度的增加,应力传递的重心逐渐由底部转移到心墙两岸及心墙中上部;斜心墙整体的应力拱效应并非随着河谷宽度的增加单调变化,当坝轴线长度与坝高比值增加到3~4时,河谷产生的河谷效应对斜心墙变形及拱效应的影响大幅下降;随着覆盖层厚度的增加,斜心墙底部的拱效应明显增强,底部的拱效应系数分布逐渐集中化、区域化,容易产生局部破坏。

Application of 3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Diagnosing Leakage in Earth Rock-Fill Dam

The leakage occurs during operation of the dam in Liuhuanggou reservoir. It’s a threat to the safety of the people’s lives and property in downstream. In order to eliminate the hidden danger of reservoir, ensure the safety of the dam, play better the function of flood control and water storage of the reservoir etc., we apply the 3D electrical resistivity tomography detecting technology and volume rendering image processing technology, make the measurement in field, process the data and combine the field survey to find out the leakage channels inside the dam. The results show that the 3D resistivity images appear the low resistivity zone corresponding with the leakage channels. There are two main leakage channels that come from different location inside the dam. It is feasible to diagnose the leakage in earth rock-fill dam by applying 3D electrical resistivity tomography.

冻结作用下土石坝护坡土石混合体水分迁移试验研究

土石坝护坡冻胀破坏主要由护坡砂砾料垫层、坝体填土自身冻胀和水分迁移共同作用引起。针对寒区土石坝护坡普遍存在的隆起、错位、坍塌等冻胀破坏问题,以寒区某土石坝护坡工程砂砾料垫层、坝体填土为研究对象,采用自研的土石混合体水分迁移冻结模型试验装置系统,开展了补水条件下单向冻结模型试验研究,研究了温度、含石量、水分迁移对土石坝护坡土石混合体冻胀特性的影响。研究结果表明:温度、含石量对土石混合体的冻胀特性影响显著;水分迁移受土石含量、温度和含水率影响,护坡砂砾料垫层和坝体填土含水率越大,冻结过程中水分迁移量越大,水分相变成冰的条件越充分;土、石分层对黏土温度变化影响较大,黏土和砾石分层可有效减小水分迁移量和冻胀量,对土石坝护坡防冻胀是有利的;土石混合体内部孔隙水相变成冰并在试样内部形成分凝冰是冻胀量增加的主要原因,土石混合体原位冻胀以及冻结过程中分凝冰的生长使冻胀量不断增加,且补水量越大,试样冻胀量就越大;不同温度、含石量下试样的冻胀量均随补水量的增加而基本呈线性增大,且含石量对冻胀量增加速率影响较小,温度对冻胀量增加速率影响较显著。研究成果可为寒区土石坝护坡设计和运行管理提供科学依据和技术支撑,补充了碾压式土石坝设计规范中的护坡设计。

无单元Galerkin法的电流场与渗流场耦合正演

联合求解渗流场与电流场是确定土石坝渗流精确分布及评价渗流严重程度的重要途径.为解决水文-地球物理方法中存在的渗-电拟合度差及分辨率损失严重等问题,针对电性参数对水文状态变量的敏感性,本文开发一种基于无单元Galerkin法(Element-Free Galerkin Method,EFGM)的渗流场与电流场耦合正演算法.一方面,通过引入岩石物理关系经验公式及水文状态变量构建耦合模型;另一方面,通过滑动最小二乘法构造形函数,利用罚函数计算边界条件,以解决耦合模型的构建过程中对网格单元过度依赖问题来提高渗-电拟合精度.数值模拟的渗-电关联响应及耦合正演中,分析了土石坝内电流场及渗流路径,探索了各分量对土石坝不同附属结构体的异常响应特征.关联响应结果显示,饱和区内渗-电关联响应吻合较好.但由于非饱和渗流的特殊性,非饱和区介质岩石的物理特性会随着饱和度、孔隙度等因素的变化而发生改变,从而导致土石坝内非饱和区物性参数的分布与饱和区不同,从而造成非饱和区内渗-电场关联响应存在差异.在非饱和区域,耦合电位及电流密度分布与渗流分布吻合度高.渗-电耦合结果对实施模型约束的水文-地球物理耦合反演具有重要理论和实际意义.

高土石坝变形监测研究进展

土石坝变形协调控制对保证其全生命期安全至关重要,准确可靠的变形监测是评估大坝变形性态、进行变形控制的基础。我国土石坝设计水平与建造技术已达到世界领先水平,其建设高度已迈入300 m级,安全监测技术也得到显著提升。本文总结了土石坝变形监测技术的发展与实践,介绍了分布式光纤传感、管道监测系统、GNSS/北斗、InSAR等新型内外观变形监测技术的工作原理、应用情况、技术优势和局限性,并简述了监测资料整编工作的相关进展。最近建成和在建的几座高土石坝已初步呈现了多技术协同、测点密集化等新态势,可全方位感知土石坝变形,为大坝安全评估提供了良好的数据基础。未来需进一步提升监测仪器可靠性与寿命,研发适用于超深厚覆盖层巨型土石坝的监测技术和仪器,研究海量多源异构监测数据治理理论与方法,全面提升复杂条件下的土石坝安全监测能力和数据治理水平。