Analysis of Crack Propagation for Sluice Pie under Seepage-Stress Coupling Condition Based on Element-Free Method

As the intake sluice pier is a massive concrete pier structure, the existences of injury cracks are inevitable and these cracks may expand further to affect the stability of the structure. Using the element-free method as the numerical method and the theory of fracture mechanics as the analysis tool, this paper determines the necessity of using the mechanical-hydrological coupling technology. Through the establishment of the dual medium model including the cracks, this paper focuses on tracking the tracing of the crack propagation at the heel of pier under the load of the water pressure. The results show that after the occurrence of the cracks at the heel of pier, the cracks will continue to propagate and affect the stability of the structure.