基于蓄水期反演的锦屏一级拱坝极限承载力分析

锦屏一级拱坝坝高为305 m,是世界上最高的拱坝。但是,其坝基岩性较差,f5、f8等断层在建基面出露,基础严重不对称等地质复杂性给锦屏一级拱坝的极限承载力分析评价带来很多不确定性。基于变形加固理论,使用三维非线性有限元程序TFINE,采用直接法和正倒垂测点监测值反演蓄水期坝体混凝土弹性模量和基础变形模量,并验证反演参数在锦屏一级蓄水期预测和极限承载力分析中的适用性。使用反演参数,对坝体正常运行的应力、位移进行仿真分析;采用屈服区、不平衡力、塑性余能范数、整体稳定性安全系数等指标,基于工程类比法,全面评价锦屏一级拱坝的极限承载力。对比反演参数和设计参数的计算结果,验证了设计参数的可靠度。结果表明,锦屏一级拱坝起裂安全系数K1为2倍超载,极限承载安全系数K3为8倍超载,锦屏一级拱坝具有较高的极限承载力,整体稳定性是有保证的。     

Structural stability of gravity dams: a progressive assessment considering uncertainties in shear strength parameters

Structural sliding stability of gravity dams is generally quantified using deterministic factor of safety, FS_det. Large FS_det (e.g. 3 in normal condition), are used in existing guidelines to guard against material and load uncertainties. Some guidelines allow an arbitrary reduction in FS_det (e.g. 2) when the knowledge in strength parameters increases from material test data. Yet, those reduced FS_det are not based on a rational consideration of uncertainties. Propagation of uncertainties could be done using probabilistic analyses, such as Monte-Carlo simulations (MC) which are complex and challenging for practical use. There is thus a need to develop simplified reliability based safety assessment procedures that could rationalise the adjustment of FS_det. This paper presents a progressive analysis methodology using four safety evaluation formats of increasing complexity: (i) deterministic, (ii) semi-probabilistic (partial coefficient), (iii) reliability based Adjustable Factor of Safety (AFS), and (iv) probabilistic. Comprehensive comparisons are made for the sliding safety evaluation of a 80 m gravity dam. Results are presented in terms of sliding factors of safety, allowable water levels, and demand/capacity ratios. It is shown that the AFS formulation, using direct integration, is simple and practical to use in complement to existing dam safety guidelines before undertaking MC simulations.     

The influence of horizontal confinement on the bearing capacity factor Nγ of smooth strip footing

We studied the upper-bound ultimate bearing capacity of smooth strip shallow footings with symmetrical and asymmetrical horizontal confinements on purely frictional sand within the framework of upper-bound limit analysis. The subsoil follows the associated flow rule, and no surcharge on the soil surface is assumed. The contact between the soil and the horizontal confinement walls is assumed to be perfectly rough. The upper-bound solutions for the objective functions are obtained using nonlinear sequential quadratic programming. The results for the different internal friction angles φ are provided in terms of the variation of two parameters, namely, the bearing capacity factor N_γ and the correction factor of bearing capacity K_γ, with respect to the change in the clear spacing between the edge of smooth footing and the rigid vertical walls. The values of N_γ and K_γ increase with φ and decrease with the clear spacing between the edge of the smooth footing and the rigid vertical walls. N_γ and K_γ are more sensitive to this confining effect as φ increases. The numerical results, a comparative analysis with the results from previous studies, and design charts are also included.     

Reliability analysis of seismic bearing capacity of strip footing by stochastic slip lines method

In this research, the reliability analysis of seismic ultimate bearing capacity of strip footing is assessed with implementing slip lines method coupled with random field theory. The probability density functions of seismic and static bearing capacities which are log-normal and nearly normal distribution respectively are compared to each other. The predicted Probability Density Function (PDF) of the seismic bearing capacity by slip line method is verified, with those of the Terzaghi equation and Monte Carlo simulation (MCs). For uncertainties analysis by Terzaghi equation the N_c, N_q and N_γ are assessed stochastically.     

Evaluation of the overflow failure scenario and hydrograph of an embankment dam with a concrete upstream slope protection

The standard procedure in Quebec, Canada, for evaluating the failure of an embankment dam, per the Loi sur la sécurité des barrages, specifies a 30-min-long failure scenario with a breach width equal to four times the maximal height of the dam. We demonstrate a new method for evaluating the flood overtopping failure scenario for embankment dams with concrete upstream slope protection, using Toulnustouc dam for example computations. Our new methodology computes safety factors for a range of potential failure mechanisms taking into account geotechnical, hydraulic, and structural factors. We compile the results of our investigations of the various dam failure mechanisms and compare the corresponding dam failure hydrographs to the current hydrograph specified in the standard analysis procedures. Our investigations tend to invalidate the current standard procedures for evaluating the failure of rock-fill dams with concrete upstream faces, by indicating that the current standard procedures underestimate the peak failure discharge and overestimate the time to the peak discharge.     

A proposed geotechnical-based method for evaluation of liquefaction potential analysis subjected to earthquake provocations (case study: Korzan earth dam, Hamedan province, Iran)

During the earthquakes, a number of earth dams have had severe damages or suffered major displacements as a result of liquefaction, thus modeling by computer codes can provide a reliable tool to predict the response of the dam foundation against earthquakes. These modeling can be used in the design of new dams or safety assessments of existing ones. In this paper, on the basis of the field and laboratory tests and by combination of several software packages a seismic geotechnical-based analysis procedure is proposed and verified by comparison with computer model tests and field and laboratory experiences. Verification or validation of the analyses relies to the ability of the applied computer codes. By using the Silakhor earthquake (2006, M _s 6.1) as a basis in order to check the efficiency of the proposed framework, the procedure is applied to the Korzan earth dam of Iran which is located in Hamedan Province to analyze and estimate the liquefaction and safety factor. Design and development of a computer code by the authors which was named as the ??Abbas Converter?? with graphical user interface which operates as logic connecter function that can compute and model the soil profiles is the critical point of this study. The results confirmed and proved the ability of the generated computer code on the evaluation of soil behavior during earthquake excitations. Also, this code was able to facilitate this study better than previous ones have, taking over the encountered problem.     

External seismic stability of vertical geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls using pseudo-static method

Analysis of external stability of vertical geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) walls is very important in the seismic prone zone. The scope of this paper is to obtain required minimum reinforcement length, L _min, for external seismic stability of vertical GRS walls by pseudo-static limit equilibrium method. Then, L _min can be calculated to resist sliding, eccentricity, and bearing capacity failure modes. The parameters considered include both horizontal and vertical seismic coefficients (k _h and k _v ), surcharge load (q), wall height (H) and the properties of retained backfill, GRS, and foundation soil. Results show that L _min against sliding failure mode, L _min,S , increases more quickly than that against the other two failure modes with the increase in k _h , q, or unit weight of retained backfill, γ _b , while L _min,S decreases more quickly than that against the other two failure modes with increase in friction angle of retained backfill, ? _b , or unit weight of GRS, γ _r . For the different failure modes, the effect of k _v on L _min is not identical with the change of k _h , and in addition, L _min/H will tend to remain unchanged with the increase in H. In general, L _min against bearing capacity failure mode, L _min,BC, is larger than L _min against the other two failure modes. However, L _min,BC will be less than L _min against eccentricity failure mode, L _min,E , for k _h exceeding 0.35, or friction angle of foundation soil, ? _f , exceeding 37°, and L _min,BC will also be less than L _min,S for friction angle of GRS, ? _r , being no more than 26°.     

Induced recharge at new dam sites—Sana’a Basin, Yemen

In approaching the task of developing recharge estimates for dam sites, several constraints are apparent, including the scarcity of site-specific data for the selected new sites and the availability of simple yet robust analysis techniques. Combined, these constraints require an approach which involves best use of available data, adoption of relatively simple analytical approximations of reality, and the adoption of several key assumptions. In arid country with limited resources, two simple techniques have been used for recharge estimation: (1) a simple water balance model in spreadsheet and (2) a more refined Darcian approach involving an analytical approximation of a flow-net solution. By applying the two models at three new dam sites, the amount of recharge rates calculated over the period 2007–2026 was close. This is because, despite Darcian approach that should have affected the recharge rate as other parameters were introduced in the calculation of q _t , e.g., groundwater table mound, reservoir water height, etc., the results show general agreement between the two methods which seem to validate the assumptions made in both methods. A general conclusion of this comparison is that the hydraulic conductivity (K) is the main determining factor in recharge calculations in these situations. The water balance model was used to estimate recharge at Wadi Bahaman, under gravity and cascade dams’ scenarios. Using gravity dam at Wadi Bahaman for groundwater recharge proved not suitable based on the relatively small predicted runoff from a small catchment area and geological concerns in the abutment areas. Instead, a series of three low check dams (2 to 4 m high) was proposed. These check dams will slow down the runoff flow, form small reservoirs, and enhance recharge along the valley, without requiring expensive foundations. Estimated groundwater recharge under cascade dams (141,407 m³/year) is greater than recharge estimated for gravity dam (103,853 m³/year) by at least 36%.     

Numerical simulations and parametric study of SDCM and DCM piles under full scale axial and lateral loads

The new kind of reinforced Deep Cement Mixing (DCM) pile namely, Stiffened Deep Cement Mixing (SDCM) pile is introduced to mitigate the problems due to the low flexural resistance, quality control problem and unexpected failure of DCM pile. The SDCM pile consists of DCM pile reinforced with concrete core pile. Previously, the full scale pile load test and the full scale embankment loading test were successfully conducted in the field. To continue the study on the behavior of SDCM and DCM piles, the 3D finite element simulations using PLAXIS 3D Foundation Software were conducted in this study. The simulations of full scale pile load test consisted of two categories of testing which are the axial compression and the lateral loading. For DCM C-1 and C-2 piles, the clay–cement cohesion, C_DCM, and clay–cement modulus, E_DCM, were obtained from simulations as 300 kPa and 200 kPa as well as 60,000 kPa and 40,000 kPa, respectively. For the SDCM piles, the simulation results show that increasing length ratio, L_core/L_DCM, increased the bearing capacity whereas the sectional area ratio, A_core/A_DCM, has only small effects on the bearing capacity for the axial compression loading. The verified parameters such as the clay–cement cohesion, C_DCM, and clay–cement modulus, E_DCM, from simulations of axial compression tests were 200 kPa and 30,000 kPa, respectively. On the other hand, increasing the sectional area ratio, A_core/A_DCM, significantly influenced the ultimate lateral resistance while the length ratio, L_core/L_DCM, is not significant in the ultimate lateral load capacity when the length of concrete core pile is longer than 3.5 m. In addition, the tensile strength of DCM, T_DCM, and concrete core pile, T_core, are very important to the lateral pile resistance. The back-calculation results from simulations of tensile strength were 5000 kPa and 50 kPa for the T_core and T_DCM, respectively.     

Seismic Bearing Capacity of Shallow Strip Footing with Coulomb Failure Mechanism using Limit Equilibrium Method

In this paper, an effort is made to evaluate the seismic bearing capacity of shallow strip footing resting on c–ф soil. The formulation is developed to get a single coefficient of bearing capacity for simultaneous resistance of weight, surcharge and cohesion. Limit equilibrium method in Pseudo-static approach with Coulomb mechanism is applied here to evaluate the seismic bearing capacity. The seismic bearing capacity of footing (q_uE) is expressed in terms of single coefficient N_γE. The effect of various parameters viz. angle of internal friction of soil (ф), angle of wall friction (δ), cohesion (c), ratio of depth to width of footing (d_f/B₀), seismic acceleration (k_h, k_v) are studied on the variation of seismic bearing capacity co-efficients.     

Seismic bearing capacity of shallow strip footings

Seismic bearing capacity of shallow strip footings in soil has been obtained in the form of pseudo-static seismic bearing capacity factors N_cd, N_qd and N_d, denoting the cohesion, surcharge and unit weight components, respectively, by an extensive numerical iteration technique. Limit equilibrium method of analysis with composite failure surface is assumed. The validity of the principle of superposition is examined. Effects of both the horizontal and vertical seismic acceleration coefficients have been found to always reduce the ultimate bearing capacity significantly. Results obtained by the present method of analysis are compared with the available results and are found to be the least in the seismic case.     

大坝帷幕防渗能力研究

研究如何提高灌浆帷幕的防渗能力,对保证大坝的安全具有重要的意义,本文通过总结影响水泥灌浆帷幕防渗能力的因素,分析水泥灌浆帷幕防渗能力衰减的原因,结合国内帷幕灌浆的现状,提出了提高水泥灌浆帷幕防渗能力的措施。     

Effect of Soil–Water Characteristic Parameters on Saturation Line and Stability of Slope

Rainfall infiltration is the main factor that causes slope instability. To study the effect of hydraulic parameters on the final saturation line and stability of slopes, a numerical slope model is established with a saturated–unsaturated seepage analysis method. Analysis results show the following, (1) When parameter a increases, the effective rainfall duration decreases linearly, and the ultimate safety factor increases gradually; when parameter m increases, the effective rainfall duration increases linearly, and the ultimate safety factor decreases linearly; when parameter n increases, both the effective rainfall duration and the ultimate safety factor decrease first and then remain stable. (2) When the saturated permeability coefficient decreases, the effective rainfall duration presents a crescent trend, and the ultimate safety factor decreases first and then remains the same after rainfall intensity exceeds the saturated permeability coefficient of soil. (3) When rainfall intensity is less than the saturated permeability coefficient of soil, the location of the final saturation line rises as the saturated permeability coefficient decreases and is thus independent of parameters a, m, and n.     

基于离散元的重力坝多滑面深层抗滑稳定分析

重力坝的深层抗滑稳定分析多采用刚体极限平衡法和非线性有限元法,但刚体极限平衡法不能反映坝基岩体渐进失稳过程和破坏的力学机制,非线性有限元法模拟岩体不连续效率低,且还未有统一的失稳判据。基于离散块体边界应力计算结果,提出重力坝坝基多滑面抗滑稳定安全系数计算公式,并探讨了以坝体-坝基系统能量突变作为坝基失稳判据的物理意义。通过与非线性有限单元法、刚体极限平衡法计算结果的比较,验证了所提方法及判据的可靠性及合理性。结合向家坝水电站重力坝泄12#坝段进行计算分析,结果表明：基于离散元强度储备系数法搜索的坝基失稳通道由坝基岩体屈服区和结构面滑移带组成,所提计算方法与判据适用于实际工程的坝基深层抗滑稳定计算分析,且计算结果偏安全。     

Permeability of granular soil employing flexible wall permeameter

Understanding the changes in permeability of soil, when soil is subjected to high confining pressure and flow pressure, which may alter the textural and geomechanical characteristics of soil, is of great importance to many geo-engineering activities such as, construction of high-rise buildings near the coast or the water bodies, earthen dams, pavement subgrades, reservoir, and shallow repositories. It is now possible to evaluate the changes in permeability of soil samples under varying conditions of confining pressure and flow pressure using flexible wall permeameter (FWP). In the present study, investigation was carried out on a cylindrical sample of granular soil employing FWP under varied conditions of confining pressure (σ₃)—50–300 kPa, which can simulate the stress conditions equivalent to depth of about 20 m under the earth’s crust, and a flow pressure (f_p)—20–120 kPa, which is mainly present near the small earthen embankment dams, landfill liners, and slurry walls near the soft granular soil with high groundwater table. The obtained results indicate a linear relationship between hydraulic conductivity (k) with effective confining pressure (σ_eff.), k, decreasing linearly with an incremental change in σ_eff.. Further, k increases significantly with an increase in f_p corresponding to each σ_eff., and q increases significantly with increase in the f_p corresponding to each (σ₃). It was also observed that corresponding to the low f_p of 20 kPa, the reduction in k is nonlinear with σ_3. The percentage reduction in k is observed to be 9, 13, and 27% corresponding to σ₃ of 50–100, 100–200, and 200-300 kPa, respectively.     

绕坝渗流地下水位的时空分布模型研究

许多大坝的失事是由于高地下水位引起坝肩失稳所致。绕坝渗流是影响坝肩高地下水位的主要因素。为此通常将大坝基础防渗帷幕延伸到坝肩岸坡内一定距离,以减小绕坝渗流影响。而防渗帷幕运行性态随时间变化,为了评价坝肩防渗帷幕和地下水位的运行性态,首先分析了地下水位观测资料和水位、降水、温度、时效等时空影响因素及其表达式,随后基于岸坡地下水位观测资料,利用最小二乘法建立了大坝岸坡地下水位的时空分布模型。通过比较模型剩余标准差和测点的剩余标准差,可以确定坝肩地下水位的异常测点,分析岸坡防渗薄弱部位,掌握坝肩岸坡渗流场时空分布规律,监控绕坝渗流的性态。     

Bearing capacity of strip and circular footings in sand using finite elements

Design of shallow foundations relies on bearing capacity values calculated using procedures that are based in part on solutions obtained using the method of characteristics, which assumes a soil following an associated flow rule. In this paper, we use the finite element method to determine the vertical bearing capacity of strip and circular footings resting on a sand layer. Analyses were performed using an elastic–perfectly plastic Mohr–Coulomb constitutive model. To investigate the effect of dilatancy angle on the footing bearing capacity, two series of analyses were performed, one using an associated flow rule and one using a non-associated flow rule. The study focuses on the values of the bearing capacity factors N_q and N_γ and of the shape factors s_q and s_γ for circular footings. Relationships for these factors that are valid for realistic pairs of friction angle and dilatancy angle values are also proposed.     

Stability of landslide dams and development of knickpoints

The Wenchuan earthquake triggered many landslides and numerous avalanches and created 100 odd quake lakes. The quake lakes may be removed or preserved. The removal strategy was applied to several large landslide dams, which were dangerous because massive amounts of water pooled up in the quake lakes. The dams could eventually fail under the action of dam outburst flooding, potentially endangering the lives of people in the downstream reaches. This paper studied the stability of landslide dams and the development of knickpoints by field investigations and experiments, and analyzing satellite images. The study concluded that if landslide dams were preserved, they would develop into knickpoints and act as a primary control of riverbed incision and, thus, reduce the potential of new landslide. The stability of landslide dams depends mainly on the development of the step-pool system and stream power of the flood flow. If a landslide dam consists of many boulders, a step-pool system may develop on the spillway channel of the dam, which would maximize the resistance, consume most of the flow energy and consequently protect the dam from incision. The development degree of the step-pool system is represented by a parameter S _p, which was measured with a specially designed instrument. A preservation ratio of landslide dams is defined as the ratio of preserved height after flood scouring to the original height of the dam. For streams with peak flood discharge lower than 30 m³/s, the preservation ratio is linearly proportional to S _p. For rivers with a peak flood discharge higher than 30 m³/s (30–30,000 m³/s), the minimum S _p value for stable channel increases with log p, in which p is the unit stream power. For a landslide dam with a poorly developed step-pool system, S _p is smaller than the minimum value and the outburst flood incises the spillway channel and causes failure of the dam. For preserved landslide dams, sediment deposits in the quake lakes. A landslide dam may develop into a knickpoint if it is stabilized by long-term action of the flow. Large knickpoints can totally change the fluvial processes and river morphology. Uplift of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau has caused extensive channel bed incision along almost all rivers. For many rivers, the incision has been partly controlled by knickpoints. Upstream reaches of a knickpoint have a new and unchanging base level. This brings about a transition from degradation to aggradation and from vertical bed evolution to horizontal fluvial process. Multiple and unstable channels are prominent in the reaches, upstream of the knickpoints. If hundreds of landslide dams occurred simultaneously on a reach of a mountain river, the potential energy of bank failure and the slope erosion would be greatly reduced and sediment yield from the watershed may be reduced to nearly zero. The quake lakes may be preserved long term and become beautiful landscapes. Streams with long-term unfilled quake lakes have good aquatic ecology.     

3D stability analysis of gravity dams on sloped rock foundations using the limit equilibrium method

A convenient approach to performing stability analysis of concrete gravity dams is the so-called two-dimensional “gravity method.” However, concrete gravity dams located in valleys with sloped rock foundation abutments behave as three-dimensional (3D) structures and are often able to share compressive and shear loads between adjacent monoliths, especially when shear keys are present. A general 3D limit equilibrium method was developed in this study to compute global sliding safety factors (SSF_g) by considering sequential load redistribution among adjacent monoliths when individual monoliths have mobilized their sliding strength. Two validation examples of the sliding safety assessment of existing dams are presented to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approach compared to that of the full 3D numerical analyses conducted using the distinct element method. It is shown that gravity dams may be formed by individual monoliths on sloped rock foundations that will slide if considered as isolated structures but will constitute a stable assembly when the load-sharing capabilities of monoliths are recognized in the analysis.     

A Simple Limit Equilibrium Approach for Calculation of Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations on Two-Layered Granular Soils

The bearing capacity of shallow foundations in a non-homogeneous soil profile has been a challenging task in geotechnical engineering. In this paper, a limit equilibrium method is used for calculating bearing capacity factors of shallow foundations constructed on a two-layered granular soil profile. The main objective has been to determine the ultimate bearing capacity computed from equivalent bearing capacity factors N_q and N_γ and comparing that with numerical analysis using finite element methods. It will be shown that the data obtained form the developed method are well comparable with those obtained from FE approach, specially when the difference between shear strength parameters of layers is low which is a practical case for sedimentary soil profiles and also for artificially compacted soils. A computer program has been developed to investigate the influence of various parameters on bearing capacity factors.