A Model for Quantitative Analysis of Stresses of the Three Gorges Dam in Construction

In the field of dam safety monitoring, quantitative analysis of monitoring results is a very important task. It can offer useful information about the behavior of dams, permit prediction of the future values by consideration of the corresponding actions, and detect anomalies as early as possible to enable a timely response. To date almost all work has been focusing on quantitative analysis of monitoring results obtained from dams in service, but quantitative analysis of monitoring results obtained from dams during construction has been neglected. In fact, the quantitative analysis of monitoring results obtained during construction is very important because it can contribute to options regarding the building process and to control of the construction program during construction. For the purpose of quantitative analysis of monitoring results obtained during construction, it is necessary to establish a mathematical model. However, such a model does not exist yet. This paper presents a model and derives the formula in the mathematical model for the quantitative analysis of monitoring data obtained during the construction. As an example of the application of the model, the monitoring results obtained from the Three Gorges dam, which is the largest and the most important dam under construction in China, are used. The example shows that the model is well established and can be applied to analyze quantitatively the monitoring results obtained during construction.