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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

高土石坝试验技术与安全评价理论及应用

我国是世界上高土石坝数量最多的国家,复杂建坝条件和恶劣服役环境下高土石坝建设和长期安全保障面临着严峻的技术挑战。简要介绍了近年来有关坝体粗颗粒料试验技术、坝基覆盖层原位测试技术、高土石坝离心机振动台模型试验技术、高土石坝溃坝离心模型试验技术、高土石坝安全评价以及灾害预测理论等领域的研究成果及推广应用情况。研发了高土石坝粗粒料力学性质试验设备,在深入揭示复杂荷载和变化环境下粗粒料力学性质演化规律及其对高土石坝变形影响机制的基础上,构建了粗粒料本构理论体系;研发了深厚覆盖层力学性质测试技术与分析方法,破解了多年来无法准确测定具有显著结构性深厚砂砾石覆盖层力学性质的技术难题;创建了高土石坝地震破坏灾变与溃坝试验技术与分析方法,用物理模型试验定量预测高土石坝地震残余变形及其发展规律;提出了高土石坝地震安全评价标准和极限抗震能力计算方法。研究成果已成功应用于紫坪铺、水布垭、吉林台、长河坝、糯扎渡、如美、大石峡、阿尔塔什以及马来西亚巴贡水电站等一批高土石坝工程,部分成果纳入相关设计规范与国家和行业标准。

高土石坝地震加速度分布研究

现行DL5073-2000《水工建筑物抗震设计规范》对土石坝地震动态分布系数的规定仅适合于150 m以下的土石坝,而目前土石坝的设计高度已远远大于150 m.为提出150 m以上土石坝地震动态分布系数建议图,分别采用反应谱法和有限元法,研究高土石坝地震加速度分布特征,提出了250 m级高土石坝地震动态分布系数建议图,对现行的《水工建筑物抗震设计规范》进行了补充.

超高面板坝面板临界挠度探讨和设计改进

新近建成的一批坝高大于150m的面板坝的面板都发生了沿垂直缝的挤压破坏问题,因此,避免面板发生挤压破坏成为超高面板坝设计中有待解决的重大设计课题。通过分析面板发生挤压破坏的工程实例,提出了面板挤压破坏的临界挠度,通过控制挠度来控制面板压应变,避免面板发生挤压破坏;还提出了超高面板坝防止面板挤压破坏的具体设计改进方法。

小河面板堆石坝应力与变形分析

采用邓肯模型对小河面板堆石坝竣工期和蓄水期进行了三维有限元计算,接触面用弹粘塑性本构关系的节理单元进行模拟,分析了不同时期坝体及面板的应力变形情况.计算结果表明,坝体最大横断面的最大沉降值约为坝高的0.54%,面板周边缝位移的绝对值都小于8 mm,大坝应力变形满足安全要求.

基于Elman神经网络的面板堆石坝沉降预测模型

分析了某面板堆石坝运行初期坝体的监测资料,选择水压分量与时效分量为影响因子构建逐步回归分析模型,应用反馈神经网络理论建立Elman神经网络模型,并与逐步回归模型预测精度做了对比分析。结果表明,Elman神经网络模型预测精度高、可靠,有助于分析大坝的安全性态。

土石坝料的动力特性与坝体敏感性分析

在对国内多座土石坝坝料的动力试验结果分析与整理的基础上,给出了堆石料、心墙料、坝基砂及反滤料的动剪切模量比和阻尼比与动剪应变关系的均值曲线和上下2倍均方差曲线,并以200 m典型心墙堆石坝为例,采用二维有限元法分析了坝体地震动力反应的敏感性。计算结果表明,坝料模量衰减曲线取上2倍均方差、阻尼比增长曲线取下2倍均方差时坝体的地震动力反应最大,为土石坝抗震的控制方案。

积石峡面板堆石坝应力变形分析

基于积石峡水电站面板堆石坝填筑的沉降观测资料,采用三维有限元计算方法,得到大坝各类材料的模型参数。分析结果表明,监测值和计算值变化过程符合较好,说明了计算模型及所得参数的有效性。在此基础上,对大坝的应力变形特性进行了计算分析,得到了积石峡水电站面板堆石坝蓄水后的应力变形特性。

桐柏电站下库坝蓄水初期监测资料简析

初蓄期是水工建筑物首次承担水荷载,各方面物理力学性能首次经受工作条件考验的重要时期。由于水工建筑物在此之前未经过水荷载的作用,所以初蓄期作为水工建筑物在正常工作条件下的适应期,其各方面性能不能处于全面受控状态,因而水工建筑物的初蓄期属于事故发生高概率时期。为了掌握初蓄期水荷载作用对大坝等水工建筑物的影响,布置合理的安全监测设施非常必要且具有重要意义。通过对桐柏电站下库面板堆石坝蓄水初期所取得的部分监测资料进行整理分析,揭示了面板堆石坝蓄水后在坝体变形、渗流和面板接缝变形等方面的一般规律,对其他类似工程具有一定的参考意义。

糯扎渡高心墙堆石坝离心模拟试验研究

近年来,随着高土石坝建设的迅速发展,研究坝体在施工期和运行期的各种性状已成为土石坝研究领域中最为重要的课题。同时,离心模拟试验技术在高土石坝的研究中也有了更加广泛的应用。本文结合坝高261.50m的糯扎渡心墙堆石坝,利用小比尺离心模型进行了模拟试验,研究坝体在施工期和运行期的应力和变形性状,论证采用小比尺离心模型研究高坝变形和应力性状的可行性,同时提出了原型坝体在竣工期和蓄水期的应力变化和变形情况,为该坝的设计和施工提供了科学依据。

基于多输出支持向量机和遗传算法的岩土参数反演方法

提出了基于多输出支持向量机(M-SVM)和遗传算法(GA)的岩土参数反演方法.在进行参数反演过程中,根据正交试验产生一系列参数的可能组合;采用有限元法(FEM)得到坝体不同测点处的位移计算值.将不同的材料参数组合作为输入,相应的位移计算值作为模型的输出来训练M-SVM模型,以便模拟坝体位移和材料参数之间的复杂关系.采用GA来求解材料参数反演所对应的优化问题.在进行最优材料参数搜索的过程中,采用训练好的M-SVM模型来替代有限元计算,以获得坝体位移的计算值,从而大大减少了计算所需的时间.根据某面板堆石坝沉降的监测数据和有限元仿真模型,实现了以上反演过程.反演分析的结果表明,本文提出的岩土参数反演方法具有计算精度高和计算效率高等优点,可以应用于实际工程中.

土石坝工程地震保险费率厘定和保险模式研究

针对土石坝工程易在地震中产生严重破坏的现象,提出采用地震保险的方法转移土石坝工程在施工期和运营期可能出现的地震风险,首先分析地震保险的作用,然后阐述根据土石坝工程地震灾害危险度和土石坝工程地震易损度得出的土石坝工程地震风险初步厘定其地震保险费率的思路,最后建议我国土石坝工程地震保险可采用国家强制性地震保险与自愿性商业地震保险相结合的模式。

300m级浇筑式沥青混凝土面板胶凝堆石坝设计研究

胶凝堆石料(Hardfill材料)是一种新型的筑坝材料,介绍了Hardfill材料的工程特性和浇筑式沥青混凝土面板的优点,浇筑式沥青混凝土面板胶凝堆石坝成为300 m级面板堆石坝的理想结构形式。对浇筑式沥青混凝土面板胶凝堆石坝的典型剖面和施工方法进行分析研究,并与钢筋混凝土面板堆石坝进行对比,得到浇筑式沥青混凝土面板胶凝堆石坝具有适应性广、充分利用当地材料、工程性能优良、工程量省、便于快速施工、对环境影响小等优点,该坝型将是300 m级面板堆石坝今后的发展方向。

结构分区对高面板堆石坝变形特性的影响

中国面板堆石坝的实践经验认为,主次堆石分界线位置倾向下游,有利于高面板堆石坝的变形控制。美国的Palmi提出了主次堆石分界线的位置倾向上游,并适当降低次堆石区的顶部高程,次堆石区顶部位置向下游方向移动的分区理念。为此通过有限元仿真计算,对比两种分区形式对高面板堆石坝应力变形性状的影响。结果表明,这种新型分区理念有利于减小面板的脱空和结构应力,在理论上是是可行的,值得在实践中推广。