Major Technologies for Safe Construction of High Earth-Rockfill Dams

The earth-rockfill dam is one of the primary dam types in the selection of high dams to be constructed in Western China, since it is characterized by favorable adaptability of the dam foundation; full utilization of local earth, rock, and building-excavated materials; low construction cost; and low cement consumption. Many major technical issues regarding earth-rockfill dams with a height of over 250 m were studied and solved successfully in the construction of the 261.5 m Nuozhadu earth core rockfill dam. This paper describes research achievements and basic conclusions; systematically summarizes the accumulated experiences from the construction of the Nuozhadu Dam and other high earth-rockfill dams; and discusses major technical issues, such as deformation control, seepage control, dam slope stability, safety and control of flood discharging, safety and quality control of dam construction, safety assessments, early warning, and other key technical difficulties. This study also provides a reference and technological support for the future construction of 300 m high earth-rockfill dams.

Optimization design of foundation excavation for Xiluodu super-high arch dam in China

With better understanding of the quality and physico-mechanical properties of rocks of dam foundation,and the physico-mechanical properties and structure design of arch dam in association with the foundation excavation of Xiluodu arch dam,the excavation optimization design was proposed for the foundation surface on the basis of feasibility study.Common analysis and numerical analysis results demonstrated the feasibility of using the weakly weathered rocks III1and III2as the foundation surface of super-high arch dam.In view of changes in the geological conditions at the dam foundation along the riverbed direction,the design of extending foundation surface excavation area and using consolidating grouting and optimizing structure of dam bottom was introduced,allowing for harmonization of the arch dam and foundation.Three-dimensional(3D)geomechanics model test and fi nite element analysis results indicated that the dam body and foundation have good overload stability and high bearing capacity.The monitoring data showed that the behaviors of dam and foundation correspond with the designed patterns in the construction period and the initial operation period.

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.

Feasibility of columnar jointed basalt used for high-arch dam foundation

Columnar jointed basalt, with a lot of small-spacing structural planes and poor integrity, is a kind of fractured rock mass. Through comprehensive study of columnar joints shape, roughness of fracture surface and chemical composition of basalt, it is known that columnar joints of Baihetan dam area were formed as a result of cooling and shrinkage effects of magma. The columnar jointed basalt is mainly formed through chemical reaction of chlorite, kaolinite, epidote and tremolite, and the columnar joints mainly consist of chlorite according to slice identification and chemical analysis. Test results show that the columnar jointed basalt has high uniaxial compressive strength, low friction coefficient, and high cohesion, shear strength and deformation index. Meanwhile, the columnar jointed basalt is closely locked, and joint surfaces are well closed. The permeability of the rock is quite weak, and the P-wave velocity in the rock could get up to 5 000 m/s. All these show good rock properties. The columnar joints develop regularly, different from the general fractured rock masses. In summary, the columnar jointed basalt can be used directly as a foundation of dam.

Dam foundation excavation techniques in China:A review

A protective layer(PL) is commonly reserved above foundation surface to protect the underlying rock mass during dam foundation excavation. In China, the PL of dam foundation is conventionally subdivided into two or three thin layers and excavated with the shallow-hole blasting method, even by pneumatic pick method in case of soft rock mass. The aforementioned layered excavation of the PL delays the construction of the whole project. After nearly 30-year practices, several safe and effcient methods for the PL excavation of dam foundation are gradually developed. They include shallow-hole bench blasting with cushion material(SBC) at the bottom of the hole, and horizontal smooth blasting(HSB). The PL is even cancelled on the condition that horizontal pre-split technique is employed during dam foundation excavation. This paper introduces the aforementioned two PL excavation methods(shallow-hole blasting and bench blasting) and horizontal pre-split technique of dam foundation without protective layer(HPP). The basic principles of blasting method, blasting geometry, charge structure, drill-and-blast parameters of typical projects are examined. Meanwhile, the merits and limitations of each method are compared. Engineering practices in China show that HSB is basically the optimal method for dam foundation PL excavation in terms of foundation damage control and rapid construction. Some new problems for dam foundation PL excavation arising, such as strong unloading and relaxation phenomenon that encountered in the gorge region of southwest China, are needed to be addressed; and the corresponding countermeasures are discussed as well.

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.

Coupling model for assessing anti-seepage behavior of curtain under dam foundation

The seepage under a dam foundation is mainly controlled by the performance of the curtain.Its anti-seepage behavior may be weakened by the long term physic-chemical actions from groundwater.According to seepage hydraulics and geochemistry theory,a coupling model for assessing the behavior of the curtain under a dam foundation is set up,which consists of seepage module,solute transport module,geochemistry module and curtain erosion module,solved by FEM.A case study was carried out.The result shows that the curtain efficiency is weakened all the time.Aqueous calcium from the curtain is always in dissolution during the stress period for simulation,which leads to the increasing amount in groundwater reaching 846.35-865.312 g/m3.Within the domain,reaction extent differs in different parts of the curtain.The dissolution of Ca(OH)2 accounts to 877.884 g/m3 near the bottom and is much higher than that of the other parts.The erosion is much more serious near the bottom of the curtain than the other parts,which is the same to the upstream and downstream.Calcium dissolution is mainly controlled by hydraulic condition and dispersion,and it varies in a non-linear way within the domain.

The Effect of Alluvial Foundation on the Earth Dams Settlement

Careful monitoring in the earth dams, to measure deformation caused by settlement and movement has always been a concern for engineers in the field. In order to measure settlement and deformation of earth dams, usually the precision instruments of settlement set and combined Inclinometer that is commonly referred to IS instrument, will be used. In some dams, because the thickness of alluvium is high and there is no possibility of alluvium removal (technically and economically and in terms of performance), there is no possibility to place the end of IS instrument (precision instruments of Inclinometer-settlement set) in the rock foundation. Inevitably, have to accept installing pipes in the weak and the deformable alluvial foundation that this leads to errors in the calculation of the actual settlement (absolute settlement) in different parts of the dam body. The purpose of this paper is to present new and refine criteria for predicting settlement and deformation in earth dams. The study is based on conditions in three dams with a deformation quite alluvial (Agh Chai, Narmashir and Gilan-e Gharb) to provide settlement criteria affected by alluvial foundation. To achieve this goal, the settlement of dams was simulated by using finite difference method with FLAC3D software and then the modeling results were compared with reading IS instrument. In the end, the caliber of the model and validate the results, by using regression analysis techniques and scrutinized modeling parameters with real situations and then by using MATLAB software and Curve Fitting Toolbox, a new criteria for the settlement based on elasticity modulus, cohesion, friction angle, density of earth dam and alluvial foundation was obtained. The results of these studies show that, by using the new criteria measures, the amount of settlement and deformation for the dams with alluvial foundation can be corrected after instrument readings and the error rate in reading IS instrument can be greatly reduced.

Control of Seepage through Earth Dams Based on Pervious Foundation Using Toe Drainage Systems

Many dangerous effects arise from seepage through earth dams based on pervious layer. Therefore, the dam embankment must be provided with seepage control measures to avoid such effects. In the present work, different control methods were used such as flat slopes, toe drainage systems, and a catch drain in the tail water. The hydraulic performance of each control measure was evaluated using the analytical solutions, previously developed, to estimate the seepage quantity (q), the height of seepage surface (h3), and the coordinates of the free surface (hx). Study was conducted on a physical model for a dam embankment having a top width (b) = 10.0 meter, height (Hd) = 30.0 meter, and slope factor (m) = 1.5. The obtained results were analyzed and presented in dimensionless charts. Results showed that, the used control measures possess a great effect on the characteristics of seepage through earth dams based on pervious foundations. A comparative study was conducted between the studied toe drainage systems to enable the designers the better choice for design purposes.

Seismic response analysis of arch dam-water-rock foundation systems

The effect of water compressibility on the seismic responses of arch dams is not well understood.In this paper,a numerical model is developed with rigorous representation of the dynamic interaction between arch dam-water- rock foundation.The model is applied to the seismic response analysis of an arch dam with a height of 292m designed to a seismic intensity of IX.It is shown that consideration of the water compressibility clearly decreases the stress responses at key positions of the dam,while the added mass model gives a conservative estimate.

Seismic analysis of dam-foundation-reservoir system including the effects of foundation mass and radiation damping

One of the main concerns in using commercial software for finite element analyses of dam-foundation-reservoir systems is that the simplifying assumptions of the massless foundation are unreliable. In this study, an appropriate direct finite element method is introduced for simulating the mass, radiation damping and wave propagation effect in foundations of damfoundation-reservoir systems using commercial software ABAQUS. The free-field boundary condition is used for modeling the semi-infinite foundation and radiation damping, which is not a built-in boundary condition in most of the available commercial software for finite element analysis of structures such as ANSYS or ABAQUS and thus needs to be implemented differently. The different mechanism for modeling of the foundation, earthquake input and far-field boundary condition is described. Implementation of the free-field boundary condition in finite element software is verified by comparing it with analytical results. To investigation the feasibility of the proposed method in dam-foundation-reservoir system analysis, a series of analyses is accomplished in a variety of cases and the obtained results are compared with the substructure method by using the EAGD-84 program. Finally, the massed and massless foundation results are compared and it is concluded that the massless foundation approach leads to the overestimation of the displacements and stresses within the dam body.

Tensile reliability analysis for gravity dam foundation surface based on FEM and response surface method

In this study, the limit state equation for tensile reliability analysis of the foundation surface of a gravity dam was established. The possible crack length was set as the action effect and allowable crack length was set as the resistance in the limit state. The nonlinear FEM was used to obtain the crack length of the foundation surface of the gravity dam, and the linear response surface method based on the orthogonal test design method was used to calculate the reliability, providing a reasonable and simple method for calculating the reliability of the serviceability limit state. The Longtan RCC gravity dam was chosen as an example. An orthogonal test, including eleven factors and two levels, was conducted, and the tensile reliability was calculated. The analysis shows that this method is reasonable.

Engineering Geological Investigations for the Foundations of Large Structures-Examples of a Concrete Dam and a long Bridge in Portugal

The safety of large structures requires adequate foundations, which implies a good knowledge of the geological and geotechnical conditions of the respective ground. In general, that is only possible through engineering geological studies which include proper site investigation techniques, adapted to the nature of the ground (rock mass or soil) and to the associated engineering problems. The paper illustrates the studies carried out for the design of the foundations of Ribeiradio 76 m high concrete gravity dam in a difficult rock mass and of Vasco da Gama Bridge, 13 km long, crossing the Tagus River in Lisbon, Portugal, through piles 75 m deep.

Real-Time Grouting Monitoring and Visualization Analysis System for Dam Foundation Curtain Grouting

A real-time monitoring and 3D visualization analysis system is proposed for dam foundation curtain grouting. Based on the real-time control technology, the optimization method and the set theory, a mathematical model of the system is established. The real-time collection and transmission technology of the grouting data provides a data foundation for the system. The real-time grouting monitoring and dynamic alarming method helps the system control the grouting quality during the grouting process, thus, the abnormalities of grouting, such as jacking and hydraulic uplift, can be effectively controlled. In addition, the 3D grouting visualization analysis technology is proposed to establish the grouting information model(GIM). The GIM provides a platform to visualize and analyze the grouting process and results. The system has been applied to a hydraulic project of China as a case study, and the application results indicate that the real-time grouting monitoring and 3D visualization analysis for the grouting process can help engineers control the grouting quality more efficiently.

The analysis for stress-strain characteristics of concrete cutoff wall built in deep cladding foundation

Combined with a proposed homogeneous earth dam in deep cladding foundation, Duncan E-B model is applied to simulate dam-filled material, apply to three-dimensional nonlinear finite element method, attain the stress-strain distribution and alteration in concrete cutoff wall in completion and water storage periods, analysis the stress state in the contact element between concrete cutoff wall and cladding foundation, provide the corresponding measures. The calculation results show that the design of concrete cutoff wall and homogeneous earth dam is reasonable.

考虑土石坝坝基接触带性能演化的渗流稳定分析

为分析土石坝在渗流及变形长期作用下坝基接触带性能及变化规律,基于水力耦合的分析方法,以某水库工程不同时期得到的坝基和坝基接触带渗透系数,建立土石坝坝基接触带渗透性能与力学参数演化模型,把握坝体及坝基材料物理力学特性、渗透特性的演化规律,对水库长期处于正常蓄水位情况下的渗流场及应力场进行分析。研究表明,由于水流的长期渗流作用,导致坝基接触带中的土壤流失,渗透系数增大,进而导致通过坝坡面、两岸山体的渗漏量增大。考虑水力耦合对坝体变形稳定的影响,研究发现,在水库运行期间,坝基接触带的强度是不断降低的,接触带的屈服区增加,变形量不断增大,安全系数随运行时间的增加不断降低。

华安水电站大坝坝基扬压水位异常现象分析

坝基扬压力监测是确保混凝土重力坝安全运行的重要手段,坝基渗压系数是评价混凝土重力坝稳定性的重要指标。华安水电站大坝坝基布置的11个测压孔中,UP8测压孔实测扬压水位明显偏高,表现异常。通过现场测试、资料分析和统计模型等方法,分析了UP8测压孔扬压水位偏高的可能原因,评价了对大坝稳定性的影响,为同类大坝坝基扬压力异常现象分析提供了有益的参考。

坝基缓坡预裂开挖中不同布孔方式下的爆破扰动比较分析

在坝基缓坡预裂开挖中,为解决传统主爆孔或缓冲孔顺坡布设时(称之为顺坡布孔)钻孔效率低的问题,工程建设者尝试采用了反坡钻孔的方式(称之为反坡布孔),有必要对两种布孔方式下坝基保留岩体扰动情况进行比较分析,以指导工程实践。依托白鹤滩水电站坝基缓坡开挖,分别开展了顺坡布孔与反坡布孔两种开挖方式下的现场爆破试验,同时借助LS-DYNA三维动力有限元模拟,比较分析了两种布孔方式下保留岩体的爆破损伤演化特性与振动分布规律,并揭示了不同布孔方式下的内在力学作用机制,最后综合考虑开挖成型效果与施工速率,对坝基缓坡开挖方案的选择进行了探讨。结果表明:两种布孔方式下由预裂孔引起的保留岩体扰动情况基本一致,区别在于主爆孔或缓冲孔引起的累积损伤效应与爆破振动,内在原因在于炮孔与保留岩体轮廓面夹角的变化。相对顺坡布孔,反坡布孔因增大了主爆孔或缓冲孔与轮廓面的夹角,减少了传输至保留岩体的爆炸能量,有利于减轻对保留岩体的扰动,可减小损伤深度约11.6%~13.9%,降低爆破振动约6.4%~53.7%。

扩大基础和垫座对高拱坝地震动响应的影响研究

中国的高拱坝多位于西南部地震多发且地形地质条件复杂的地区,在地震作用下极易造成坝体局部开裂和整体失稳。以金沙江下游白鹤滩拱坝为研究对象,探讨扩大基础和垫座对坝顶和拱冠梁最大位移、横缝开度、坝体损伤体积比等地震动响应的影响特点。分析结果表明扩大基础和垫座具有如下优点:使拱坝左右两侧的体型更趋于对称,对减小坝顶和拱冠梁的位移响应有利。以增大边缝开度为代价而使坝体中部横缝开度显著减小,且使横缝张开趋于均匀,对充分发挥止水片密封效果有利;能够明显减小坝体的损伤体积比;其中,扩大基础对坝体位移和损伤体积比的减弱效果明显优于垫座。但是,随着地震动强度增加,扩大基础和垫座对位移响应约束能力逐渐减弱。研究结果证明了扩大基础和垫座对增强拱坝抗震能力的有效性,可为类似高拱坝工程建设提供有益参考。

不同工况下水库大坝固化灰浆防渗墙防渗效果数值分析

针对山东东营孤东水库坝体渗漏问题,提出了大坝的防渗加固方案,对加固后的大坝渗流及稳定性进行数值计算。结果表明,固化灰浆防渗墙方案能很好地解决大坝渗漏问题,加固后设计蓄水位下出逸比降低于允许渗透比降。在水位骤降的条件下,大坝内部压力水头线下降,安全系数提高到1.40;在地震荷载的工况下,安全系数提高到1.32~1.44。加固后围坝的安全系数满足规范值,保证满足大坝的防渗要求,各工况的安全系数也都符合规范要求,可为类似加固工程提供可靠参考。