Application of Three-Dimensional Elasto-Viscoplastic Composite Element Method on Jointed Dam Base

The most remarkable feature of rock masses is the existence of discontinuities of various size, orientation, and spacing. The algorithm developed on the concept of "composite element method" has the ability to contain discontinuity segments such as faults and joints within elements. In this way the discontinuities can be simulated explicitly without special elements deployed along the discontinuities. The composite elements can be incorporated into the conventional finite element analysis procedure easily. If there are no discontinuities in the calculated domain, the algorithm is degenerated back to the conventional finite element procedure. Baozhusi gravity dam on a complicated rock foundation is studied in the paper, from which the advantage of the CEM can be shown and the reliability of the CEM can been verified.