Integrative seismic safety evaluation of a high concrete arch dam

An integrative seismic safety evaluation of an arch dam should include all sources of nonlinearities, dynamic interactions between different components and the external loads. The present paper investigates the calibration procedure and nonlinear seismic response of an existing high arch dam. The first part explains the conducted analyses for the static and thermal calibrations of the dam based on site measurements. The second part investigates the nonlinear seismic analysis of the calibrated model considering the effect of joints, cracking of mass concrete, reservoir–dam–rock interaction, hydrodynamic pressure inside the opened joints and the geometric nonlinearity. Penetration of the water inside the opened joints accelerates the damage process. The integrative seismic assessment of a case study shows that the dam will fail under the maximum credible earthquake scenario. The dam is judged to be severely damaged with extensive cracking and the joints undergo opening/sliding. A systematic procedure is proposed for seismic and post-seismic safety of dams.     

Seismic failure modeling of concrete dams considering heterogeneity of concrete

Study on the failure process of high concrete dams subjected to strong earthquakes is crucial to reasonable evaluation of their seismic safety. Numerical simulation in this aspect involves dynamic failure analysis of big bulk concrete dam subjected to cyclic loading. The Rock Failure Process Analysis (RFPA) proposed by C.A. Tang, with successful applications to failure modeling of rock and concrete specimens mainly subjected to static loading, is extended for this purpose. For using the proposed model, no knowledge on the cracking route needs to be known beforehand, and no remeshing is required. Simulation of the whole process of elastic deformation, initiation and propagation of microcracks, severe damage and ultimate failure of concrete dams in earthquakes with a unified model is enabled. The model is verified through a shaking table test of an arch dam. Finally a practical gravity dam is employed as a numerical example. Considering the uncertainty in ground motion input and concrete material, typical failure process and failure modes of gravity dam are presented. Several small cracks may occur due to tension particularly at dam neck, dam faces and dam heel, and a few of them evolve into dominant ones. Relatively smaller earthquake may cause damage to the dam neck while a bigger one may bring on cracks at lower parts of the dams. Cracking at the dam bottom may incline to a direction almost perpendicular to the downstream face after propagating horizontally for a certain distance when the shaking is strong enough.     

Seismic failure modeling of concrete dams considering heterogeneity of concrete

Study on the failure process of high concrete dams subjected to strong earthquakes is crucial to reasonable evaluation of their seismic safety. Numerical simulation in this aspect involves dynamic failure analysis of big bulk concrete dam subjected to cyclic loading. The Rock Failure Process Analysis (RFPA) proposed by C.A. Tang, with successful applications to failure modeling of rock and concrete specimens mainly subjected to static loading, is extended for this purpose. For using the proposed model, no knowledge on the cracking route needs to be known beforehand, and no remeshing is required. Simulation of the whole process of elastic deformation, initiation and propagation of microcracks, severe damage and ultimate failure of concrete dams in earthquakes with a unified model is enabled. The model is verified through a shaking table test of an arch dam. Finally a practical gravity dam is employed as a numerical example. Considering the uncertainty in ground motion input and concrete material, typical failure process and failure modes of gravity dam are presented. Several small cracks may occur due to tension particularly at dam neck, dam faces and dam heel, and a few of them evolve into dominant ones. Relatively smaller earthquake may cause damage to the dam neck while a bigger one may bring on cracks at lower parts of the dams. Cracking at the dam bottom may incline to a direction almost perpendicular to the downstream face after propagating horizontally for a certain distance when the shaking is strong enough.     

高拱坝体系整体抗震安全评价方法研究

采用非线性地震波动反应分析方法，将坝体、地基、库水的强震反应本质上作为满足体系中接触面边界约束条件的波传播问题，在时域内以显式有限元方法求解。在不同概率水平的地震波作用下进行高拱坝与地基体系的有限元时程分析，并建议了以坝体位移反应发生突变为依据的拱坝体系整体失稳判断准则，从而建立了进行高拱坝体系整体抗震安全评价的方法，并以小湾拱坝为算例，对其抗震安全度作出初步评价。     

拱坝非线性地震反应分析

以乌东德拱坝为对象,进行了拱坝非线性地震反应分析。结果表明:坝体损伤区域明显大于坝体混凝土按线弹性材料计算时最大主应力超过抗拉强度的区域,说明传统方法低估了拱坝的开裂范围,偏于危险;考虑基岩的非线性后,坝体损伤总体上要有所减小;坝基岩体剪胀角对坝基岩体的屈服和坝体混凝土的损伤都有影响,但是规律不明确,因此应该进行基岩剪胀角的敏感性分析。     

Nonlinear earthquake analysis of high arch dam–water–foundation rock systems

A nonlinear finite element model for earthquake response analysis of arch dam–water–foundation rock systems is proposed in this paper. The model includes dynamic dam–water and dam–foundation rock interactions, the opening of contraction joints, the radiation damping of semi‐unbounded foundation rock, the compressibility of impounded water, and the upstream energy propagating along the semi‐unbounded reservoir. Meanwhile, a new equivalent force scheme is suggested to achieve free‐field input in the model. The effects of the earthquake input mechanism, joint opening, water compressibility, and radiation damping on the earthquake response of the Ertan arch dam (240 m high) in China are investigated using the proposed model. The results show that these factors significantly affect the earthquake response of the Ertan arch dam. Such factors should therefore be considered in the earthquake response analysis and earthquake safety evaluation of high arch dams. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Earthquake safety assessment of concrete arch and gravity dams

Based on research studies currently being carried out at Dalian University of Technology, some important aspects for the earthquake safety assessment of concrete dams are reviewed and discussed. First, the rate-dependent behavior of concrete subjected to earthquake loading is examined, emphasizing the properties of concrete under cyclic and biaxial loading conditions. Second, a modified four-parameter Hsieh-Ting-Chen viscoplastic consistency model is developed to simulate the rate-dependent behavior of concrete. The earthquake response of a 278m high arch dam is analyzed, and the results show that the strain-rate effects become noticeable in the inelastic range. Third, a more accurate non-smooth Newton algorithm for the solution of three-dimensional frictional contact problems is developed to study the joint opening effects of arch dams during strong earthquakes. Such effects on two nearly 300m high arch dams have been studied. It was found that the canyon shape has great influence on the magnitude and distribution of the joint opening along the dam axis. Fourth, the scaled boundary finite element method presented by Song and Wolf is employed to study the dam-reservoir-foundation interaction effects of concrete dams. Particular emphases were placed on the variation of foundation stiffness and the anisotropic behavior of the foundation material on the dynamic response of concrete dams. Finally, nonlinear modeling of concrete to study the damage evolution of concrete dams during strong earthquakes is discussed. An elastic-damage mechanics approach for damage prediction of concrete gravity dams is described as an example. These findings are helpful in understanding the dynamic behavior of concrete dams and promoting the improvement of seismic safety assessment methods.     

Quantitative failure metric for gravity dams

Quantitative failure monitoring is a critical tool for safety assessment of concrete dams. This includes damage occurrence, intensity, location, number, size, and propagation pattern. Such an assessment is essential for a quantifiable prioritization of repair and will thus reduce overall cost and improve safety. This paper will address this timely topic through the nonlinear transient analysis of a dam and failure will be ascertained through a multi‐scale damage index. A damage‐plastic model for mass concrete is used, Drucker‐Prager elasto‐plastic one for the foundation, and infinite elements are used for far‐field boundaries. Water‐dam interaction is accounted for through fluid finite elements. It is determined that the proposed damage indices can indeed provide a quantitative metric for the degree of failure in gravity dams in terms of the input dynamic motion. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic damage analysis of the outlet piers of arch dams using the finite element sub-model method

This study aims to analyze seismic damage of reinforced outlet piers of arch dams by the nonlinear finite element(FE) sub-model method. First, the dam–foundation system is modeled and analyzed, in which the effects of infinite foundation, contraction joints, and nonlinear concrete are taken into account. The detailed structures of the outlet pier are then simulated with a refined FE model in the sub-model analysis. In this way the damage mechanism of the plain(unreinforced) outlet pier is analyzed, and the effects of two reinforcement measures(i.e., post-tensioned anchor cables and reinforcing bar) on the dynamic damage to the outlet pier are investigated comprehensively. Results show that the plain pier is damaged severely by strong earthquakes while implementation of post-tensioned anchor cables strengthens the pier effectively. In addition, radiation damping strongly alleviates seismic damage to the piers.     

A comparative study of the different procedures for seismic cracking analysis of concrete dams

Different procedures are compared for the three-dimensional seismic cracking analysis of gravity and arch dams during strong earthquakes. The fracture procedures include the extended finite element method with cohesive constitutive relations, crack band finite element method with plastic-damage relations, and the finite element Drucker−Prager elasto-plastic model. These procedures are used to analyze the nonlinear dynamic response of Koyna dam to the 1967 Koyna earthquake and the seismic cracking of the Dagangshan arch dam subjected to design earthquake. The cracking process and profiles of the two dams using the three different procedures are compared. The applicability and the suitability of the three procedures for seismic cracking analysis of gravity and arch dams are discussed.     

强震区高面板堆石坝抗震安全性评价

针对西部强震区高面板堆石坝,在三维非线性动力有限元分析基础上分析评价了面板堆石坝的加速度和应力反应、面板的应力及接缝变形、坝体地震残余变形、坝体单元抗震安全性、坝坡的抗震稳定性,对大坝的抗震安全性进行了综合评价。所提出的抗震安全性评价方法以及有关规律和结论可供工程建设参考。     

紫下大桥安全检测与评价方法研究

钢桥因具有跨径大、承载能力强、施工工期短等特点,被世界各国广泛采用,但在使用过程中,由于重载甚至超载车辆的反复作用、自然灾害的侵袭及交通事故等人为因素的作用,经常造成桥梁损伤和局部破坏,导致桥梁承载能力和耐久性的降低,甚至影响到运营的安全。本文建立了钢拱桥的健康检测和安全评价方法,采用防腐涂层厚度测定、结合强度测定、无损探伤和动静载荷试验等手段对紫下大桥健康状况进行了检测,采用不确定层次分析法对大桥进行了安全评价,提出了处理意见和措施,为既有钢拱桥的健康检测、评价和维护积累了有益的资料。     

Nonlinear seismic response analysis of arch dam-foundation systems- part II opening and closing contact joints

A time-domain method for the analysis of arch dam-foundation rock dynamic interaction during earthquake was proposed, and the dynamic relaxation technique was adopted to obtain the initial static response for dynamic analysis by [Du et al. (2005). The paper has been contributed to Bulletin of earthquake engineering]. In this paper, a nonlinear explicit method in time domain considering the opening and closing effect of contact joints on arch dam during earthquake is further proposed by introducing the dynamic contact force model into the method. The simulation accuracy of dynamic contact force model is verified by comparing its calculation result and test result of scale model on shaking table. Finally, the influence of joints on the seismic response of Xiaowan arch dam is studied by the proposed method and some conclusions are given.     

Seismic hazard analysis for engineering sites based on the stochastic finite-fault method

Seismic hazard analyses are mainly performed using either deterministic or probabilistic methods. However, there are still some defects in these statistical model-based approaches for regional seismic risk assessment affected by the near-field of large earthquakes. Therefore, we established a deterministic seismic hazard analysis method that can characterize the entire process of ground motion propagation based on stochastic finite-fault simulation, and we chose the site of the Xiluodu dam to demonstrate the method. This method can characterize earthquake source properties more realistically than other methods and consider factors such as the path and site attenuation of seismic waves. It also has high computational efficiency and is convenient for engineering applications. We first analyzed the complexity of seismogenic structures in the Xiluodu dam site area, and then an evaluation system for ground motion parameters that considers various uncertainties is constructed based on a stochastic finite-fault simulation. Finally, we assessed the seismic hazard of the dam site area comprehensively. The proposed method was able to take into account the complexity of the seismogenic structures affecting the dam site and provide multi-level parameter evaluation results corresponding to different risk levels. These results can be used to construct a dam safety assessment system of an earthquake in advance that provides technical support for rapidly and accurately assessing the post-earthquake damage state of a dam, thus determining the influence of an earthquake on dam safety and mitigating the risk of potential secondary disasters.     

Post-analysis simulation of the collapse of an open sabo dam of steel pipes subjected to boulder laden debris flow

The objective of the proposed method is to utilize a site investigation of a debris flow disaster and verify a real scale analysis to evaluate the impulsive load on an open sabo dam. The Nagiso debris flow disaster which occurred in Nagano in 2014, where damage caused by Typhoon Neogri was studied. The verification result of the site investigation demonstrated the weak components of the open Sabo dam experienced damage owing to the debris flow. A discrete element method is normally applied to a solid body to calculate an interaction function force with respect to the contact point between boulders and the dam. The numerical method initially concatenates elements that model the open Sabo dam. Moreover, the stiffness coefficient of flanges and coupling joints between pipes was expressed to utilize the sectional partition method to determine the structural characteristics. The method was improved to separate from the connecting elements beyond the boundary conditions. The debris flow model uses a water flow distribution model, and the debris flow flowed from 200 m upstream of the open sabo dam. Accordingly, the proposed method was examined to verify the primary cause of damage to the open sabo dam and used to reproduce the circumstances that evaluated the impulsive load occurrence mechanism in the case of a real disaster. In addition, the coupling joints between the hollow steel pipes utilized a ‘reproduction analysis’ for a real sabo dam and a ‘reinforced analysis’ for a reinforced sabo dam were applied to assess the weak point of the dam.     

有缝拱坝-地基系统非线性地震波动反应分析方法

拱坝坝体中缝界面在地震作用下的开、合模拟对拱坝地震反应有重要影响。目前在拱坝地震反应分析中应用的一些模型,如Ｆｅｎｖｅｓ模型、Ｄｏｗｌｉｎｇ的三参数模型,存在对缝界面的接触状态模拟精度不高的问题,这对于准确评价工程上关心的缝界面最大张开率是不足的。此外,坝基中存在的断层、节理、裂隙待软弱夹层的非线性力学特性和无限地基能量辐射作用对拱坝地震反应也有重要影响。在拱坝地震反应分析中同时考虑这三种影响因素     

Nonlinear seismic response analysis of arch dam-foundation systems- part I dam-foundation rock interaction

The arch dam–foundation rock dynamic interaction and the nonlinear opening and closing effects of contact joints on arch dam are important to the seismic response analysis of arch dams. Up to date, there is not yet a reasonable and rigorous procedure including the two factors in seismic response analysis. The methods for the analysis of arch dam–foundation rock dynamic interaction in frequency domain are not suitable to the problem with nonlinear behaviors, in this paper, so an analysis method in time domain is proposed by combining the explicit finite element method and the transmitting boundary, and the dynamic relaxation technique is adopted to obtain the initial static response for dynamic analysis. Moreover, the influence of arch dam–foundation dynamic interaction with energy dispersion on seismic response of designed Xiaowan arch dam in China is studied by comparing the results of the proposed method and the conventional method with the massless foundation, and the local material nonlinear and nonhomogeneous behaviors of foundation rock are also considered. The reservoir water effect is assumed as Westergaard added mass model in calculation. The influence of the closing–opening effects of contact joints of arch dam on the seismic response will be studied in another paper.     

Probability density evolution method for seismic liquefaction performance analysis of earth dam

To investigate the seismic liquefaction performance of earth dams under earthquake loading, we present a new methodology for evaluating the seismic response of earth dams based on a performance‐based approach and a stochastic vibration method. This study assesses an earthfill dam located in a high‐intensity seismic region of eastern China. The seismic design levels and corresponding performance indexes are selected according to performance‐based criteria and dam seismic codes. Then, nonlinear constitutive models are used to derive an array of deterministic seismic responses of the earth dam by dynamic time series analysis based on a finite element model. Based on these responses, the stochastic seismic responses and dynamic reliability of the earth dam are obtained using the probability density evolution method. Finally, the seismic performance of the earth dam is assessed by the performance‐based and reliability criteria. Our results demonstrate the accuracy of the seismic response analysis of earth dams using the random vibration method. This new method of dynamic performance analysis of earth dams demonstrates that performance‐based criteria and reliability evaluation can provide more objective indices for decision‐making rather than using deterministic seismic acceleration time series as is the current normal practice. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

考虑劣化屈服老化裂纹后混凝土水库堤坝排水边坡抗震性研究

针对在水库堤坝排水边坡混凝土裂纹的抗震性研究中,未考虑岩土体抗剪强度参数的劣化屈服效应以及混凝土裂纹的老化,存在抗震性判断结果准确率较差等问题,提出水库堤坝排水边坡混凝土考虑老化后产生裂纹的抗震性能研究方法。模拟强震下边坡混凝土的开裂破坏过程,根据D-P屈服准则,实现对闸墩混凝土材料的屈服判断。采用薄层整体单元模拟和分离式裂纹单元,实现混凝土裂纹的数值模拟,加载地震波后,获取混凝土裂纹的强震响应规律与破坏特征。实验结果可知,本文方法对坝体位移变化的研究精度高,得到的混凝土裂纹扩展范围更为准。运用本文方法对水库堤坝排水边坡混凝土的抗震性研究准确率以及可信度较高,说明本文方法具有一定的可取性。     

基于离散灾情信息的地震烈度分布快速判定方法研究*

根据历次破坏性地震实际灾情反馈特点的分析总结,结合地震灾害的演变机理和分布特点,本文尝试利用3种基于离散灾情信息点推漫灾情分布面的方法在不同灾情获取阶段快速判定地震烈度分布。从计算原理、数据基础、方法特点和判定结果看,三种方法具有不同的应用场景。泰森多边形判定法简单、易行,可用于震后初期灾情量较少时使用,判定结果较粗糙,必须再结合震源特性、破裂过程以及地形地貌条件等对震害分布的影响进行综合判定后才能得出相对合理的震害分布预判结果;克里金插值判定法是一种基于地理统计方法的空间插值方法,对数据分布有明确要求,其判定结果对灾区范围整体把握较好,可用于已经获取一定量灾情信息但灾区情况尚未明朗时使用,其插值结果再结合地震破裂过程以及震后余震分布信息综合调整后,可作为灾害评估修正和应急决策参考;标准差距离椭圆拟合方法是基于地震烈度分布呈椭圆形的假设提出的,对数据的敏感度较高,可用于对可信度较高的或由专业途径上报的灾情信息进行拟合,其结果可作为现场灾害调查和确定最终烈度分布的参考。