Elasto-Plastic Dynamic Finite Element Analysis of an Earth-Rockfill Dam

The Pastor-Zienkiewicz-Chan model, based on the generalized plasticity theory, can simulate the stress-strain relationship of soils quite well. Based on the triaxial tests of the filling materials of an earth-rockfill dam, model parameters were obtained through fittings of model and test data. The fitting curves showed that the generalized plasticity model is capable of simulating the mechanical behaviors of rockfill materials. The model was then implemented into a finite element code to carry out 3-dimensional static and dynamic analyses of the earth-rockfill dam. Permanent displacement of the dam was gained and discussed. The results show that the generalized plasticity model can give a good description of dynamic response characteristics of earth-rockfill dams.