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.

Sensitivity analysis of factors affecting gravity dam anti-sliding stability along a foundation surface using Sobol method

The anti-sliding stability of a gravity dam along its foundation surface is a key problem in the design of gravity dams.In this study,a sensitivity analysis framework was proposed for investigating the factors affecting gravity dam anti-sliding stability along the foundation surface.According to the design specifications,the loads and factors affecting the stability of a gravity dam were comprehensively selected.Afterwards,the sensitivity of the factors was preliminarily analyzed using the Sobol method with Latin hypercube sampling.Then,the results of the sensitivity analysis were verified with those obtained using the Garson method.Finally,the effects of different sampling methods,probability distribution types of factor samples,and ranges of factor values on the analysis results were evaluated.A case study of a typical gravity dam in Yunnan Province of China showed that the dominant factors affecting the gravity dam anti-sliding stability were the anti-shear cohesion,upstream and downstream water levels,anti-shear friction coefficient,uplift pressure reduction coefficient,concrete density,and silt height.Choice of sampling methods showed no significant effect,but the probability distribution type and the range of factor values greatly affected the analysis results.Therefore,these two elements should be sufficiently considered to improve the reliability of the dam anti-sliding stability analysis.

Effects of spatial variation in cohesion over the concrete-rock interface on dam sliding stability

The limit equilibrium method （LEM） is widely used for sliding stability evaluation of concrete gravitydams. Failure is then commonly assumed to occur along the entire sliding surface simultaneously.However, the brittle behaviour of bonded concrete-rock contacts, in combination with the varying stressover the interface, implies that the failure of bonded dam-foundation interfaces occurs progressively. Inaddition, the spatial variation in cohesion may introduce weak spots where failure can be initiated.Nonetheless, the combined effect of brittle failure and spatial variation in cohesion on the overall shearstrength of the interface has not been studied previously. In this paper, numerical analyses are used toinvestigate the effect of brittle failure in combination with spatial variation in cohesion that is taken intoaccount by random fields with different correlation lengths. The study concludes that a possible existenceof weak spots along the interface has to be considered since it significantly reduces the overallshear strength of the interface, and implications for doing so are discussed.

Seismic stability analysis of concrete gravity dams with penetrated cracks

The seismic stability of a cracked dam was examined in this study. Geometric nonlinearity and large deformations, as well as the contact condition at the crack site, were taken into consideration. The location of penetrated cracks was first identified using the concrete plastic-damage model based on the nonlinear finite element method （FEM）. Then, the hard contact algorithm was used to simulate the crack interaction in the normal direction, and the Coloumb friction model was used to simulate the crack interaction in the tangential direction. After verification of numerical models through a case study, the seismic stability of the Koyna Dam with two types of penetrated cracks is discussed in detail with different seismic peak accelerations, and the collapse processes of the cracked dam are also presented. The results show that the stability of the dam with two types of penetrated cracks can be ensured in an earthquake with a magnitude of the original Koyna earthquake, and the cracked dam has a large earthquake-resistant margin. The failure processes of the cracked dam in strong earthquakes can be divided into two stages： the sliding stage and the overturning stage. The sliding stage ends near the peak acceleration, and the top block slides a long distance along the crack before the collapse occurs. The maximum sliding displacement of the top block will decrease with an increasing friction coefficient at the crack site.

Seismic stability safety evaluation of gravity dam with shear strength reduction method

A new method of numerical seismic stability safety evaluation for a rock slope is proposed based on the analysis of a gravity dam foundation subjected to earthquake loading. The shear strengths of the weak discontinuities are divided by different shear strength reduction ratios （K） and numerical seismic analysis is carried out after the static analysis is completed. With different K values, the curves of the permanent horizontal displacement of key points of the dam foundation （K-displacement curves） are studied. According to the curve change, the distribution of plastic zones in the foundation, and the slow convergence of the finite element method （FEM）, the seismic stability safety factor is defined as Kwhen the gravity dam is in the limit equilibrium state subjected to earthquake loading. These concepts were applied to the evaluation of seismic stability safety of a gravity dam for a hydropower project. The analysis of the example shows that the proposed method is feasible and is an effective method of seismic stability safety evaluation.

Sliding response of gravity dams including vertical seismic accelerations

Seismic safety assessment of gravity dams has become a major concern in many regions of the world while the effects of vertical seismic accelerations on the response of structures remain poorly understood.This paper first investigates the effect of including vertical accelerations in the sliding response analysis of gravity dams subjected to a range of historical ground motion records separated in two groups according to their source-to-site distance.Analyses showed that the incidence of vertical accelerations on the sliding response of gravity dams is significantly higher for near-source records than for far- source records.The pseudo-static 30% load combination rule,commonly used in practice to account for the non-simultaneous occurrence of the peak horizontal and vertical accelerations,yielded good approximations of the minimum safety factors against sliding computed from time-history analyses.A method for empirically estimating the vertical response spectra based on horizontal spectra,accounting for the difference in frequency content and amplitudes between the two components is investigated.Results from analyses using spectrum compatible horizontal and vertical synthetic records also approximated well the sliding response of a gravity dam subjected to series of simultaneous horizontal and vertical historical earthquake records.

Comparison of Design and Analysis of Concrete Gravity Dam

Gravity dams are solid concrete structures that maintain their stability against design loads from the geometric shape, mass and strength of the concrete. The purposes of dam construction may include navigation, flood damage reduction, hydroelectric power generation, fish and wildlife enhancement, water quality, water supply, and recreation. The design and evaluation of concrete gravity dam for earthquake loading must be based on appropriate criteria that reflect both the desired level of safety and the choice of the design and evaluation procedures. In Bangladesh, the entire country is divided into 3 seismic zones, depending upon the severity of the earthquake intensity. Thus, the main aim of this study is to design high concrete gravity dams based on the U.S.B.R. recommendations in seismic zone II of Bangladesh, for varying horizontal earthquake intensities from 0.10 g - 0.30 g with 0.05 g increment to take into account the uncertainty and severity of earthquake intensities and constant other design loads, and to analyze its stability and stress conditions using analytical 2D gravity method and finite element method. The results of the horizontal earthquake intensity perturbation suggest that the stabilizing moments are found to decrease significantly with the increment of horizontal earthquake intensity while dealing with the U.S.B.R. recommended initial dam section, indicating endanger to the dam stability, thus larger dam section is provided to increase the stabilizing moments and to make it safe against failure. The vertical, principal and shear stresses obtained using ANSYS 5.4 analyses are compared with those obtained using 2D gravity method and found less compares to 2D gravity method, except the principal stresses at the toe of the gravity dam for 0.10 g - 0.15 g. Although, it seems apparently that smaller dam section may be sufficient for stress analyses using ANSYS 5.4, it would not be possible to achieve the required factors of safety with smaller dam section. It is observed during stability analyses that the factor of safety against sliding is satisfied at last than other factors of safety, resulting huge dam section to make it safe against sliding. Thus, it can be concluded that it would not be feasible to construct a concrete gravity dam for horizontal earthquake intensity greater than 0.30 g without changing other loads and or dimension of the dam and keeping provision for drainage gallery to reduce the uplift pressure significantly.

Hybrid method of limit equilibrium and finite element internal force for analysis of arch dam stability against sliding

A hybrid method of limit equilibrium and finite element internal force for analysis of arch dam stability against sliding is presented.The finite element internal force method(FEIFM) is used to provide more accurate thrust forces acting on the faces of a slip body,and the limit equilibrium method(LEM) is employed to evaluate the factor of safety of the slip body.The method presented can deal with a slip body with large amount of geometrically complex slip faces.In addition,compared with the traditional LEM,it can meet the balance condition of the forces in the slip faces.An example shows that the factor of safety obtained by the method presented agrees well with the theoretical solution.A practical example is also presented to demonstrate the application of the method in the stability analysis of an arch dam project.The results from the examples show that the method is promising in analysis of arch dam stability against sliding.

Interface stress element method and its application in analysis of anti-sliding stability of gravity dam

The rigid body limit equilibrium method （LEM） and the nonlinear finite element method （NFEM） are often used in the analysis of anti-sliding stability of gravity dam. But LEM cannot reflect the process of progressive instability and mechanical mecha- nism on failure for rock mass while NFEM is difficult to use to solve the displacement discontinuity of weak structural plane. Combining the research with Xiangjiaba Hydropower Station project, the analysis of anti-sliding stability for segment 12# of the dam has been carried out using interface stress element method （ISEM）. The results can reflect the most dangerous location, the scope and distribution of failure zone in weak structural plane, and present the process of progressive failure in dam foun- dation as well as the safety coefficient of possible sliding body. These achievements provide an important technical reference for dam foundation treatment measures. The computational results show that ISEM can naturally describe discontinuous de- formation of rock mass such as dislocation, openness and sliding. Besides, this method is characterized by good adaptability, convenient calculation and high compatibility, thus it is regarded as an effective way to make an analysis of anti-sliding stabil- ity of gravity dam

Key issues in rock mechanics of the Three Gorges Project in China

The Three Gorges Project is one of the essential key projects for flood controlling and water resources regulation in the Yangtze River. The project includes a river-crossing dam, underground powerhouses, and navigation structures. Because of the huge size and complicated construction technologies, the project faced a series of challenging engineering issues. In terms of rock mechanics, there are many key technical issues, including the sliding resistance and stability of the dam section along the foundations of powerhouses No.l-5, the ,,;lope stability of the double-line five-stage shiplock, excavation of large-scale underground powerhouses, and curtain grouting under the dam. With decades of scientific research and 16 years of practical construction experiences and reservoir operations, these key technical issues in construction of the Three Gorges Project are successfully resolved, which will attribute to the development of hydropower technology. On the basis of the monitoring data during construction and normal operation periods of the Three Gorges Project, this paper presents a systematic analysis of these key rock mechanical issues in terms of behaviors, solutions, dynamic controlling, monitoring arrangement and integrated assessment.

堆石混凝土层间界面抗剪稳定力学性能试验研究

层间抗剪稳定分析是重力坝设计中的一项重要工作,是重力坝剖面设计和坝基处理设计的主要依据之一。建立在塑性力学上限定理基础上的萨尔玛(Sarma)法,为重力坝抗剪稳定分析提供一个理论基础更加严密、应用范围更广泛的方法。对比混凝土抗剪指标、分析堆石混凝土抗剪力学性能、裂缝产生及剪力传递理论,提出了堆石混凝土层间界面抗剪稳定力学性能特征,该特征能够体现出不同的破坏模式。试验数据来源于实际工程,研究结果基于实际工程堆石混凝土重力坝试验仓,可为堆石混凝土应用推广提供借鉴作用。

翁结水库碾压混凝土重力坝动力特性及其抗滑稳定分析

重力坝是水利工程中最常用的主要水工建筑物之一,混凝土重力坝在地震作用下的动力稳定是坝工设计中的重要问题.本文以翁结碾压混凝土重力坝为对象,取位于河谷中的7、8号溢流坝段和9号非溢流坝段,建立三维有限元模型,通过计算分析了碾压混凝土重力坝在不同工况下的应力变形规律及抗滑稳定性.结果表明:静力荷载作用下,坝体位移符合重力坝一般规律,坝踵主拉应力范围较小;动力荷载作用下,位移等响应在坝顶达到最大,符合鞭鞘效应特征,同时坝体残余位移较小,坝体在一些部位出现瞬时拉应力超标现象,坝基塑性区未发生贯通;对7、8号坝段和9号坝段在建基面及碾压层面进行抗滑稳定验算,坝体坝基均满足稳定要求.

远场水下爆炸冲击作用下重力坝动力稳定性的简化时程分析方法

高坝大库的抗爆与防护是国防安全的重要研究课题。该文针对远场水下爆炸冲击作用下混凝土重力坝的稳定安全评价问题,研究了远场水下爆炸冲击波的传播及其与坝体的相互作用过程;基于波动理论和平面波假设,建立了重力坝爆炸动应力场的简化理论计算模型,最终建议了一种远场水下爆炸冲击波作用下重力坝动力稳定性的简化时程分析方法;同时结合工程实际,采用该方法对某混凝土重力坝的动力稳定性进行了分析。结果表明:在远场爆炸冲击荷载作用下,重力坝的稳定安全系数呈现出先增后减再增并最终保持恒定的变化规律;下游坝面反射形成的拉伸波与剪切波的共同作用是导致建基面稳定安全系数降低的主要原因。

强震区抽蓄电站沥青混凝土面板堆石坝抗震稳定性分析

我国西北强震区某拟建抽水蓄能电站上水库采用沥青混凝土面板堆石坝,最大坝高161 m。为分析该坝抗震稳定性,在大坝非线性静力分析基础上,采用改进的等效粘弹性模型和有限元动力时程法等理论,对大坝开展三维有限元地震反应和坝坡抗震稳定性计算。结果表明,大坝在100年1%超越概率的校核地震(地震加速度为0.48g)作用下,坝体及面板的动力反应分布规律合理。其中,坝体顺河向、坝轴向、竖向加速度极值分别为13.93、13.91、13.80 m/s^(2)。考虑静动叠加后,在沥青混凝土面板反弧段的拉应变极值达0.95%,但小于改性沥青混凝土抗拉强度的一般允许值。因此,大坝即使遭遇0.48g的校核地震作用,亦能保持较好的整体安全性,不会出现重大抗震安全事故。

基于分区刚体-界面元方法的重力坝深层抗滑稳定分析

将坝体及坝基系统分界为可变形滑动界面、刚性滑动块体和刚性基床三部分,建立了基于滑动界面应力变形协调、分区刚体静力平衡的分区刚体—界面元分析方法,其未知量仅包含分区刚体变形及滑动界面上的接触力。结合基于极限平衡方程的迭代解法,可快速准确求解重力坝深层抗滑稳定安全系数。对局部滑面未知情形,可通过搜索求解最危险滑动面。该方法可同时满足上限极限分析的运动许可条件和下限极限分析的应力许可条件,克服了现有规范分析方法通过假定来满足下限极限分析条件的缺点。最后通过某重力坝深层抗滑稳定分析算例验证了该方法的准确性。

加高重力坝改善坝踵应力及抗滑稳定性的施工措施研究

大坝加高是实现已建水库扩容增效的主要手段之一,然而原工程相对应的设计标准可能偏低,导致加高后的坝体应力和稳定难以满足设计要求。结合实际工程,运用材料力学理论研究了降低坝踵拉应力的浇筑顺序以及提高坝体抗滑稳定性的新老坝错层浇筑方式,并用有限元软件ABAQUS验证了材料力学法的结论。计算结果表明:分期加高使得老坝坝踵应力恶化,新坝坝踵的竖向拉应力大于一次建坝,对坝踵应力不利。在本工程中,当浇筑至下游侧1/3坝高范围内的混凝土坝块时,会削弱上游坝踵竖向压应力,故该部分混凝土提前浇筑能有效降低坝踵拉应力。采用新老坝错层浇筑的抗滑稳定安全系数比未错层时高2%~5%,优先对加高重力坝前帮错层浇筑能有效提高坝体抗滑稳定性,减少坝体塑性应变。

单薄混凝土重力坝的静动力特性研究

混凝土重力坝作为挡水建筑物,已广泛应用于水利水电工程中,但对于体型单薄的混凝土重力坝,在运行过程中,特别是地震荷载作用下,容易出现应力集中和滑动失稳现象。该文依托石城子二级电站工程,采用有限元数值模拟方法,对其压力前池末端的单薄混凝土重力坝开展静动力特性研究,并基于有限元分析成果研究重力坝的抗滑稳定性。该研究成果对类似单薄混凝土重力坝工程具有参考价值。

基于非概率可靠度的重力坝抗滑稳定分析

重力坝抗滑稳定分析是大坝安全评价的重要组成部分,其结果直接影响大坝正常服役。在内部和外部环境等多因素协同驱动下,长期服役的混凝土坝材料性能将呈现不同程度的时变衰退,而已有的研究多采用概率可靠度方法进行分析,且重力坝工程统计信息与实际工况不相匹配,统计资料难以反馈各参数变量的精确概率分布。针对上述问题,基于非概率可靠度理论,提出区间参数下的重力坝抗滑稳定非概率可靠度分析方法,并结合某工程实例编制相应的可靠度分析程序。实例分析表明,长期服役下的重力坝各失效模式的非概率可靠度指标明显下降,安全裕度变小,计算结果可为大坝补强修缮提供一定的参考依据。

三峡大坝运行期深层抗滑稳定研究

三峡大坝左厂1~5号坝段和右厂24~26号坝段分别位于左右岸山体缓坡地段,坝后式厂房布置形成了临时坡高67.8 m、永久坡高39 m的高陡边坡,岸坡坝段深层抗滑稳定一直是三峡工程的重大工程问题之一。在梳理上述岸坡厂房坝段工程地质条件和前期他人研究成果的基础上,重点分析了运行期大坝及坝基变形、渗压等监测成果,分析多种工程措施下的运行效果;并基于渗流实测数据,采用刚体极限平衡法、参数反演、非线性有限元法等对大坝深层抗滑稳定进行了复核计算。研究结果表明:三峡大坝岸坡厂房坝段的坝基变形、渗流等监测数据均在设计允许安全范围内;坝基岩体缓倾角结构面基本处于疏干状态;基于实测扬压力,采用刚体极限平衡法和非线性有限元相结合的方法对深层抗滑稳定复核表明坝基是稳定和安全的。工程从2008年试验性蓄水至今已正常运行16 a,结合最新的大坝监测成果对大坝的深层抗滑稳定进行复核及评价,可为同类重力坝工程建设运行提供参考。

Stability analysis on Tingzikou gravity dam along deep-seated weak planes during earthquake

The stability of a gravity dam against sliding along deep-seated weak planes is a universal and important problem encountered in the construction of dams.There is no recommended method for stability analysis of the dam on deep-seated weak planes under earthquake condition in Chinese design codes.Taking Tingzikou dam as an example,the research in this paper is focused on searching a proper way to evaluate the seismic safety of the dam against sliding along deep-seated weak planes and the probable failure modes of dam on deep-seated weak planes during earthquake.It is concluded that there are two probable failure modes of the dam along the main weak geological planes in the foundation.In the first mode,the concrete tooth under the dam will be cut and then the dam together with part foundation will slide along the muddy layer;in the second mode,the dam together with part foundation will glide along the path consist of the weak rock layer under the tooth and the muddy layer downstream the tooth.While there is no geological structure planes to form the second slip surface,the intersection of the main and the second slip surface is 40 to 80 m downstream from dam toe,and the angle between the second slip surface and the horizontal plane probably be 25 to 45 degrees.