Quantitative Study on the Influence of Alluvium Foundation on the Behavior of Concrete Face Rockfill Dam
Publication: International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22, Issue 9
Abstract
An increasing number of concrete faces rockfill dams (CFRDs) are being built on deep alluvium foundations. Understanding the behavior of CFRDs that are built on alluvial foundations is critical to the performance assessment and design optimization of these dams. This paper aims to quantitatively study the influence of alluvial foundations on CFRD behavior and discusses the corresponding treatment measures. Four parameters are proposed to describe the distribution characteristics of alluvium foundations. The parameters are related to the mechanical properties of an alluvium foundation, which have practical physical meaning. A series of numerical calculations are performed on the behavior of CFRDs with different alluvium characterization parameters based on a case history. The influence of an alluvium foundation distribution on CFRD behavior is quantitatively analyzed according to the numerical calculations and measured data from case histories. Corresponding treatment measures or suggestions for the dam or foundation are discussed. The findings could offer reliable insights into CFRD behavior on alluvium foundations and provide an engineering analogy or reference for the planning, design, and construction of CFRDs.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51909215, 52039008, and 52125904), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Program No. 2021T140554 and 2020M683527), and Young Talent fund of the University Association for Science and Technology in Shaanxi, China (Program No. 20200417).
References
Alonso, E. E., S. Olivella, A. Soriano, N. M. Pinyol, and F. Esteban. 2011. “Modelling the response of Lechago earth and rockfill dam.” Géotechnique 61 (5): 387–407. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.SIP11.P.013.
Boulanger, R. W., and I. M. Idriss. 2012. “Evaluation of overburden stress effects on liquefaction resistance at Duncan dam.” Can. Geotech. J. 49 (9): 1052–1058. https://doi.org/10.1139/t2012-063.
Chen, K., D. G. Zou, X. J. Kong, and Y. Zhou. 2018. “Global concurrent cross-scale nonlinear analysis approach of complex CFRD systems considering dynamic impervious panel-rockfill material-foundation interactions.” Soil Dyn. Earthquake Eng. 114: 51–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2018.06.027.
Duncan, J. M., and C. Y. Chang. 1970. “Nonlinear analysis of stress and strain in soils.” J. Soil Mech. Found. Div. 96 (SM5): 1629–1653. https://doi.org/10.1061/JSFEAQ.0001458.
Gan, L., Z. Z. Shen, and L. Q. Xu. 2014. “Long-term deformation analysis of the Jiudianxia concrete-faced rockfill dam.” Arab. J. Sci. Eng. 39 (3): 1589–1598. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-013-0788-6.
Gao, Y. Q., L. Y. Wang, D. Y. Li, and Y. F. Gao. 2020. “Evaluation of valley topography effects on the seismic stability of earth-rockfill dams via a modified valley topography coefficient.” Comput. Geotech. 128: 103814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103814.
Jia, Y. F., B. Xu, S. C. Chi, B. Xiang, D. Xiao, and Y. Zhou. 2019. “Particle breakage of rockfill material during triaxial tests under complex stress paths.” Int. J. Geomech. 19 (12): 04019124. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001517.
Karim, M. R., C. T. Gnanendran, S. C. R. Lo, and J. Mak. 2010. “Predicting the long-term performance of a wide embankment on soft soil using an elastic–viscoplastic model.” Can. Geotech. J. 47 (2): 244–257. https://doi.org/10.1139/T09-087.
Kermani, M., J. M. Konrad, and M. Smith. 2017. “An empirical method for predicting post-construction settlement of concrete face rockfill dams.” Can. Geotech. J. 54 (6): 755–767. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2016-0193.
Kim, Y. S., M. W. Seo, C. W. Lee, and G. C. Kang. 2014. “Deformation characteristics during construction and after impoundment of the CFRD-type Daegok Dam, Korea.” Eng. Geol. 178: 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.06.009.
Li, Y., W. Tang, L. Wen, and J. Wang. 2020. “Study on seismic failure probability of high earth-rock dam considering dam body deformation and slope stability.” Eur. J. Environ. Civ. Eng. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/19648189.2020.1828176.
Liu, X., A. N. Zhou, S. L. Shen, J. Li, and A. Arulrajah. 2021. “Modelling unsaturated soil-structure interfacial behavior by using DEM.” Comput. Geotech. 137: 104305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2021.104305.
Modares, M., and J. E. Quiroz. 2016. “Structural analysis framework for concrete-faced rockfill dams.” Int. J. Geomech. 16 (1): 04015024. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000478.
Peng, X. F., Y. L. Zhu, K. Tan, and C. Ma. 2019. “Analysis of overburden layer thickness influence on dynamic response of concrete face rock-fill dam.” J. Vibroeng. 21 (4): 1116–1126. https://doi.org/10.21595/jve.2019.20520.
Rehman, Z., F. Luo, T. Wang, and G. Zhang. 2020. “Large-scale test study on the three-dimensional behavior of the gravel–concrete interface of a CFR dam.” Int. J. Geomech. 20 (6): 04020046. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001701.
Saberi, M., C.-D. Annan, and J.-M. Konrad. 2018. “Numerical analysis of concrete-faced rockfill dams considering effect of face slab – Cushion layer interaction.” Can. Geotech. J. 55: 1489–1501. https://doi.org/10.1139/cgj-2017-0609.
Sadrekarimi, A., and S. M. Olson. 2010. “Shear band formation observed in ring shear tests on sandy soils.” J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng. 136 (2): 366–375. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000220.
Seiphoori, A., S. M. Haeri, and M. Karimi. 2011. “Three-dimensional nonlinear seismic analysis of concrete faced rockfill dams subjected to scattered P, SV, and SH waves considering the dam–foundation interaction effects.” Soil Dyn. Earthquake Eng. 31 (5–6): 792–804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soildyn.2011.01.003.
Sukkarak, R., P. Jongpradist, and P. Pramthawee. 2019. “A modified valley shape factor for the estimation of rockfill dam settlement.” Comput. Geotech. 108: 244–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.01.001.
Wang, F., Z. Q. Song, Y. H. Liu, and B. H. Luo. 2021. “Seismic wave input method for high earth dams considering the transmission amplification effect of the bedrock–overburden interface.” Comput. Geotech. 130 (12): 103927. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2020.103927.
Wang, M., Y. F. Chen, R. Hu, W. Liu, and C. B. Zhou. 2016. “Coupled hydro-mechanical analysis of a dam foundation with thick fluvial deposits: A case study of the Danba hydropower project, southwestern China.” European J. Environ. Civ. Eng. 20 (1): 19–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/19648189.2015.1013639.
Wen, L. F., J. R. Chai, X. Wang, Z. G. Xu, Y. Qin, and Y. L. Li. 2015. “Behaviour of concrete-face rockfill dam on sand and gravel foundation.” Proc. Inst. Civ. Eng. Geotech. Eng. 168 (5): 439–456. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeen.14.00103.
Wen, L. F., J. R. Chai, Z. G. Xu, Y. Qin, and Y. L. Li. 2017. “Monitoring and numerical analysis of behaviour of Miaojiaba concrete-face rockfill dam built on river gravel foundation in China.” Comput. Geotech. 85 (5): 230–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.12.018.
Wen, L. F., J. R. Chai, Z. G. Xu, Y. Qin, and Y. L. Li. 2018. “A statistical review of the behaviour of concrete-face rockfill dams based on case histories.” Géotechnique 68 (9): 749–771. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.17.P.095.
Wen, L. F., Y. L. Li, and J. R. Chai. 2021. “Multiple nonlinear regression models for predicting deformation behavior of concrete-face rockfill dams.” Int. J. Geomech. 21 (2): 04020253. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0001912.
Yu, X., Y. K. Wang, Y. Tulamaiti, C. G. Zhou, Y. Zhou, and G. Wang. 2021. “Refined numerical simulation of a concrete cut-off wall in the thick overburden of dam foundation.” Structures 33 (5): 4407–4420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2021.07.022.
Yu, X., D. G. Zou, X. J. Kong, and L. Yu. 2017. “Large-deformation finite element analysis of the interaction between concrete cut-off walls and high-plasticity clay in an earth core dam.” Eng. Comput. 34 (4): 1126–1148. https://doi.org/10.1108/EC-04-2016-0118.
Zhang, B. Y., J. H. Zhang, and G. L. Sun. 2012. “Particle breakage of argillaceous siltstone subjected to stresses and weathering.” Eng. Geol. 137-138: 21–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2012.03.009.
Zhang, J. M., G. Zhang, and L. Wang. 2011. “Dilatancy of the interface between a structure and gravelly soil.” Géotechnique 61 (1): 75–84. https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.9.P.051.
Zhang, Y., X. Kong, D. Zou, and B. Xu. 2017. “Tensile stress responses of CFRD face slabs during earthquake excitation and mitigation measures.” Int. J. Geomech. 17 (12): 04017120. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GM.1943-5622.0000997.
Zhao, Y. J., P. F. Wu, J. X. Li, Q. Lin, and Y. Lu. 2019. “A new algorithm for the automatic extraction of valley floor width.” Geomorphology 335 (15): 37–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2019.03.015.
Zhou, W., J. J. Hua, X. L. Chang, and C. B. Zhou. 2011. “Settlement analysis of the Shuibuya concrete-face rockfill dam.” Comput. Geotech. 38 (2): 269–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compgeo.2010.10.004.
Zhou, X., G. Ma, and Y. D. Zhang. 2019. “Grain size and time effect on the deformation of rockfill dams: A case study on the Shuibuya CFRD.” Géotechnique 69 (7): 606–619. https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeot.17.P.299.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
International Journal of Geomechanics
Volume 22 • Issue 9 • September 2022
Copyright
© 2022 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 9, 2022
Accepted: Apr 3, 2022
Published online: Jul 4, 2022
Published in print: Sep 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Dec 4, 2022
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.
Cited by
- Lifeng Wen, Yu Yang, Yanlong Li, Yunhe Liu, Effect of Valley Topography on the Behavior of Asphalt Concrete Core Walls in Earthen Dams, International Journal of Geomechanics, 10.1061/IJGNAI.GMENG-9626, 24, 8, (2024).