Building a three dimensional sealed geological model to use in numerical stress analysis software: A case study for a dam site

The dam area of the SUOXI hydropower project shows high terrain undulation and complex geological conditions, containing 6 faults and 7 weak inter-beds. A geometric model developed to represent the geology and engineering structures should incorporate the geological realities and should allow suitable mesh generation to perform numerical stress analysis. This is an important precondition to perform rock mass stability analysis of a dam foundation based on a numerical stress analysis software such as FLAC^3D. Using the modeling tools available in FLAC^3D, it is difficult to construct a complex geological model even after performing a large amount of plotting and data analyses. The 3-D geological modeling technique suggested in this paper, named as Sealed Geological Modeling (SGM), is a powerful tool for constructing complex geological models for rock engineering projects that require numerical stress analysis. Applying this technique, first, the geological interfaces are constructed for the dam area of SUOXI hydropower project using various interpolation procedures including geostatistical techniques. Then a unitary wire frame is constructed and the interfaces are connected seamlessly. As the next step, a block tracing technique is used to build a geological model that consists of 130 seamlessly connected blocks. Finally, based on the Advancing Front Technique (AFT), each block is discretized into tetrahedrons and a mesh is generated including 57,661 nodes and 215,471 tetrahedrons which is suitable to perform numerical stress analysis using FLAC^3D.     

Discrete modelling of rock-ageing in rockfill dams

The aim of this paper is to obtain, from a numerical study using the discrete element method, quantitative information on the behaviour of a rockfill dam, particularly the effect of rock ageing on the movements of the dam. A numerical model is defined at three different scales: the block scale, the elementary representative volume scale and the dam scale. The model uses the discrete element code PCF^2D, considering breakable clusters of 2D balls. Three rock-ageing laws, taking into account the time-evolving resistance for blocks, are proposed. The different parameters are determined from experimental data of laboratory tests performed on rock blocks. The relevance of the model seems acceptable, considering that the displacements obtained in the simulations are in the same order of magnitude as the displacements measured on the actual dam.     

A visco‐damage model for brittle materials under monotonic and sustained stresses

A theoretical model is proposed to describe the evolution of damage in brittle materials, such as concrete and masonry, subjected to increasing or sustained stresses of relatively high intensity. The model is based on the introduction of suitable damage variables in a rheological model. In this way, it is possible to describe the material behaviour under stresses either increasing or constant in time. The capabilities of the model in describing the mechanical response of material elements subjected to different stress histories are illustrated. Some correlations with experimental data from tests performed on masonry and concrete specimens are presented, to assess the reliability of the theoretical predictions. The results of some numerical applications to non‐proportional stress paths are also illustrated. Finally, the limitations of the proposal are discussed and possible further improvements are envisaged. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of dynamic shear strength and time-histories stress analysis on newmark sliding block analyses

A simplified procedure for evaluating aseismic stability of slope subjected to earthquake shaking, in which the effect of dynamic shear strength and time-history stress on the yielding angular acceleration of sliding block is taken into account, is presented. The fundamental feature of this procedure is the dynamic shear strength. The numerical computations are performed by using the proposed method. It is shown that the computed sliding displacement for a given core dam, with either method of dynamic shear strength properly considered, is more rational compared with the conventional computational results based on static shear strength.     

2D modelling of a dry joint masonry wall retaining a pulverulent backfill

This work focuses on an analysis of dry joint retaining structures based on yield design theory: the stability of the masonry is assessed using rigid block and shear failure mechanisms in the wall and its backfill. An application of this simulation on 2D scale‐down brick and wood models is then addressed, showing close agreement between theoretical predictions and experimental results. Further development on this work, including application of this theory on dry‐stone retaining walls, is discussed as a conclusion. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Damage analysis of masonry structures subjected to rockfalls

Masonry structures present substantial vulnerability to rockfalls. The methodologies for the damage quantification of masonry structures subjected to rockfalls are scarce. An analytical procedure for the damage assessment of masonry structures is presented. The procedure comprises three stages: (1) determination of the rockfall impact actions which are applied to a masonry structure, in terms of external forces, using the particle finite element method (PFEM), (2) evaluation of the mechanical properties, modelling of the masonry structure, and calculation of the internal stresses, using the finite element method (FEM), (3) assessment of the damage due to the rockfall actions, applying a failure criterion adapted to masonries, and calculation of the damage in terms of the percentage of the damaged wall surface. Three real rockfall events and their impact on buildings are analysed. A sensitivity analysis of the proposed procedure is then used to identify the variables that mostly affect the extent of the wall damage, which are the masonry width, the tensile strength, the block diameter and lastly, velocity.     

A two-layer model for simulating landslide dam over mobile river beds

Landslides can block mountainous streams and form landslide dams to threaten downstream residents. It is necessary for reliable methods to predict landslide dam dynamic for risk assessment. In this paper, we present a two-layer model of Savage–Hutter type to simulate the dynamic evolution of landslide dam which take account of the erosion of river bed. The two-layer shallow water system is derived by depth-averaging the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations with the hydrostatic assumption integrated of the erosion model of river bed. The effect of excess pore water pressure is considered in the erosion process. A high order accuracy scheme based on Roe-type solver is used to discretize the present model. Finally, several numerical tests are performed to verify the stability of the algorithm and reliability of the model. Numerical results indicate that the erosion effect enhances the huge destructiveness of landslide and increase the possibility of river blocked by landslides. The impact of excess pore water pressure on erosion process should be considered.     

Advanced programming methods and data structures for computational modelling using edge‐based finite volume methods

The generation of a numerical model must consider the separate issues of the governing equations, the numerical representation of those equations, the data structure that describes the model, the choice of programming language and finally the implementation and code management issues. These issues are considered as a whole in this paper and as a consequence, 10 golden rules for numerical modelling are proposed. By way of application, a saturated–unsaturated flow problem is modelled using the Richards equation and an innovative edge‐based finite volume method. The implementation uses a novel data structure. This is shown to have over 91% code re‐use and hence code written in this way is highly flexible and applicable to many different problems. By way of example, a compacted core earth filled dam problem has been solved. Finally, we conclude that this advanced programming method can significantly reduce code development time. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Discrete numerical modelling of rockfill dams

The aim of this study is to obtain quantitative information on the behaviour of rockfill used in embankment dams, and particularly on the influence of block breakage on the displacement field, from a numerical analysis using the Distinct element method. A methodology is set up to define the resistance of the 2D particles so that the same probability of breaking blocks may be reproduced as in a 3D material. The model uses the discrete element code PFC^2D (Itasca Consulting Group Inc., PFC2D (Particle Flow Code in Two Dimensions), Version 3.0, 2002) and considers breakable clusters of 2D balls. The different parameters are determined from experimental data obtained from laboratory tests performed on rock blocks. The model is validated by comparing the results of the simulation of shearing tests with actual triaxial tests on rockfill material published in the literature. The numerical analysis of block crushing in an actual dam is proposed in the last part of this paper. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Elasto-Viscoplastic Block Element Method and its Application to Arch Dam Abutment Slopes

Summary This paper presents an elasto-viscoplastic block element method and its application to the deformation and stability study of arch dam abutment slopes. The paper is composed of two parts. The first part concerns the numerical methods used in the analysis, which includes the identification of the rock blocky system, the algorithm of unconfined seepage flow in discontinuity network taking the grout curtain and drainage curtain into account, and the elasto-viscoplastic block element method as well. In the second part a complicated arch dam abutment slope is studied, from which the seepage flow, the deformation, and the safety factor of the abutment slope are obtained. Based on the analysis suggestions about the seepage control and stabilization measures are made. Received October 15, 2000; accepted October 16, 2001 Published online August 2, 2002     

Influence of vertical ground motion on seismic-induced displacements of gravity structures

A method enabling assessment of seismic-induced movements of gravity block is proposed. This method is based on dynamic analysis of the block subjected to both horizontal and vertical ground accelerations, and resultant forces acting on the block. There are two kinds of the motion. The first one is trivial, as it is a common motion of the block and subsoil. The second is a relative motion of the block with respect to subsoil, depending on combination of ground accelerations and the resultant of horizontal forces. Attention is focused on the influence of vertical ground motion on seismic-induced displacements of the structure. Experimental investigations performed in order to validate a numerical algorithm are described, and then experimental data are compared with numerical predictions. A good agreement is obtained. Then, the dynamics analysis of the block is presented for harmonic and pseudo-stochastic ground motions in order to illustrate the algorithm proposed. The results of computations show that, for some typical data and ground accelerations corresponding to strong earthquakes, large permanent displacements of the block take place, as observed in real conditions.     

A dual mortar contact method for porous media and its application to clay-core rockfill dams

The clay-core rockfill dam is a multibody contact system in which the hydromechanical response of the clay core plays a crucial role. This complex problem is highly challenging to model numerically. We present a numerical approach that considers the multibody contact, consolidation, and strong geometric and material nonlinearities for the modeling of clay-core rockfill dams. Within the framework of the dual mortar finite element method, the presented approach considers the contact bodies as independent porous media continuums. The nonlinear contact conditions are derived based on the effective contact traction on contact interfaces and pore pressure continuity. The weak forms are obtained by introducing Lagrange multipliers as additional unknowns, which are then condensed through an extended general transformation. The presented method is first validated with a patch test considering the contact between two porous media. Then, a three-dimensional analysis of the Rumei clay-core rockfill dam is performed. The main numerical analysis concerns are the two observation galleries planned for construction inside the clay core. The galleries consist of dozens of tunnel-like concrete blocks, giving rise to complex concrete-concrete and concrete-clay contacts. The discontinuous separation and sliding between concrete blocks are investigated. For the concrete-concrete contact, both hard and soft joint approaches are evaluated and compared. The pore pressure results of the concrete structures are also analyzed.     

碾压混凝土高拱坝坝肩稳定及坝体开裂静动力分析

强震区高拱坝抗震问题的研究十分重要,高拱坝静力稳定研究和极限抗震能力复核,是确保地震后不发生库水失控下泄的关键课题之一。采用物理模型试验与数值计算的方法,根据汶川震后新核定参数,并考虑降强因素的影响,对沙牌碾压混凝土拱坝进行静动力分析和复核。通过三维地质力学模型综合法静力破坏试验,研究拱坝坝肩在正常荷载作用下的稳定安全性,得到沙牌拱坝坝肩综合稳定安全系数为3.76,建议对两坝肩开裂较严重区域进行加固处理。在此基础上,基于反应谱理论进行三维有限元动力分析,将应力成果导入开发程序由Drucker-Prager（D-P）和Mohr-Coulomb（M-C）准则对加固后的沙牌拱坝进行动力复核计算,并研究大坝的开裂情况和极限抗震能力,计算结果表明,沙牌拱坝的整体抗震稳定性能良好,仅在万年一遇地震工况下发生坝肩浅表层失稳。研究成果表明,沙牌拱坝坝肩稳定性较高、坝肩加固效果良好,从而在“5.12”汶川地震中表现出超强的整体稳定性和抗震能力,其全面开展的研究工作和采取的工程措施可供国内强震区同类型拱坝工程建设及运行借鉴和参考。     

Stability assessment of a circular earth dam

Stability of a circular earth dam is assessed for radial cracking potential and static slope stability using continuum mechanics‐based three‐dimensional numerical models. Comparisons of numerical model results for a circular water tank with vertical walls and different radii with their analytical counterparts are included to support the validity of the ideas and their implementation in the continuum mechanics‐based computer program used. Effects of sloping wall faces and Poisson's ratio on computed deformations and stresses are also included. The same numerical models are used to assess stability of a circular dam in terms of factor‐of‐safety and associated failure surface. Three‐dimensional slope stability analysis results are compared with continuum based two‐dimensional slope stability analysis results to assess the magnitude of 3D effects. Example problems are included to illustrate the use of ideas presented. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.     

Monitoring and numerical analysis of behaviour of Miaojiaba concrete-face rockfill dam built on river gravel foundation in China

This study evaluated the behaviour of a concrete face rockfill dam (CFRD) built on river gravel foundation on the basis of in-situ measurement records and numerical analysis. The monitoring records were obtained from a detailed deformation-monitoring system. A 3D finite element analysis was performed to assess long-term dam behaviour. The behaviour of the CFRD built on river gravel foundation was analysed comprehensively. A discussion of behaviour, especially with relevance to the behaviour of dams built on stiff-foundation, was included. The effect of the river gravel foundation was analysed, and the exact mechanisms were discussed. The relative contribution of various factors on the long-term behaviour of the CFRD was also studied. In-situ measurements were compared with numerical results to discuss the capability of the numerical model to predict the dam behaviour.     

Numerical modeling of soil–structure interface of a concrete-faced rockfill dam

Concrete-faced rockfill dams (CFRD) are widely used in large-scale hydraulic projects. The face slab, the key seepage-proof structure of great concern, has a strong interaction with the neighboring gravel cushion layer due to a significant difference in their stiffness. An elasto-plasticity damage interface element, a numerical format of the EPDI model, is described for numerical analysis of a CFRD that can trace the separation and re-contact between the face slab and the cushion layer at the interface. As verified by simulating slide block and direct shear interface tests, this element was confirmed to capture effectively the primary monotonic and cyclic behaviors of the interface. This element can easily be extended to the finite element method (FEM) programs that involve the Goodman interface element. The analysis of a typical CFRD showed that the interface model describes a significant effect on the stress response of the face slab under different conditions, including dam construction, water storage, and earthquake. Treatments of the cushion layer, such as an asphalt layer, changed the behavior of the interface between it and the face slab, which resulted in a significant effect on the stress response of the face slab. The top of the face slab exhibited a significant separation from the cushion layer during construction, induced mainly by construction of the neighboring dam body.     

基于混合离散的砌石挡土墙边坡极限承载力下限分析

将极限分析下限法理论、混合数值离散思想和线性规划结合起来研究砌石挡土墙边坡的极限承载力。采用三角形有限单元离散土体来模拟土体的连续介质力学特性,构建土体静力许可应力场的约束条件,采用块体单元离散砌石体来模拟砌石体的非连续介质力学特性,构建砌石挡土墙的静力许可应力场的约束条件;同时建立有限元单元和块体单元交界面的约束条件;然后以超载系数为目标函数建立求解砌石挡土墙极限承载力的下限法线性规划模型,并使用内点算法进行最优化求解,获得边坡的极限荷载（或安全系数）和对应的应力场。通过3个算例的分析验证了所提方法的正确性。所提方法是将混合数值离散思想引入极限分析领域的一次尝试。     

挤压墙工法对面板堆石坝应力变形影响规律研究

利用三维有限元数值模拟方法,分析了采用挤压墙的面板堆石坝的应力变形规律。与不采用挤压墙和采用半挤压墙型式的方案进行比较,研究了挤压墙的存在及其型式对于面板堆石坝应力变形响应的影响。计算结果表明,挤压墙的存在及其型式对于坝体的应力变形以及面板挠度变形影响较小;对面板的应力分布情况有一定影响,但不会对面板安全性产生明显影响;挤压墙的存在有利于减小周边缝的沉陷变位。     

地震强度对堆石坝变形的影响

采用基于状态相关的剪胀理论的临界状态砂土模型,以SUMDES2D为有限元平台,对直接建造在基岩上的心墙堆石坝进行了1组抗震性能计算,分析了坝体在不同的地震强度下的动力响应,以研究地震强度对土石坝变形机理的影响。计算结果表明,地震强度越大,地震所引发永久变形和局部变形就越大; 文中除了给出土石坝的总体位移及变形状况外,还提供了堆石坝在某些局部位置的应力路径和应力应变关系,探讨了不同地震强度下坝体破坏的内在机理。局部土单元的动力响应,揭示位于坝体上游坝坡马道附近单元由于密实度小,在应力不大的情况下就达到材料的临界状态,随着地震强度的增加,该部位由稳定逐步过渡到临界状态,而后沿着临界状态线发展,土单元由稳定逐步过渡到流动变形。     

基于Cosserat理论的重力坝深层抗滑稳定分析

重力坝深层滑动主要表现为沿缓倾角的软弱结构面形成滑移通道,滑移通道内应变积聚且应变梯度急剧不连续,是典型的应变局部化现象,采用经典连续介质理论进行数值模拟时存在病态的有限元网格依赖性。引入Cosserat连续体理论作为正则化机制,提出了基于Cosserat理论的Mohr-Coulomb弹塑性模型,考虑非关联的流动法则,在经典塑性理论框架下采用向后Euler隐式积分算法进行应力更新。采用ABAQUS的自定义单元接口（UEL）进行二次开发,进行了平面应变条件下单轴受压的数值验证。数值模拟结果表明,该模型能保证应变局部化问题的正定性。基于Cosserat理论的重力坝深层抗滑稳定分析结果表明,采用超载法进行重力坝渐进破坏过程模拟时,基于经典连续体理论的模拟结果有较大的网格依赖性,而且结果偏于安全,而采用Cosserat连续体理论的结果对网格密度不敏感。