Numerical analysis of seepage–deformation in unsaturated soils

A coupled elastic–plastic finite element analysis based on simplified consolidation theory for unsaturated soils is used to investigate the coupling processes of water infiltration and deformation. By introducing a reduced suction and an elastic–plastic constitutive equation for the soil skeleton, the simplified consolidation theory for unsaturated soils is incorporated into an in-house finite element code. Using the proposed numerical method, the generation of pore water pressure and development of deformation can be simulated under evaporation or rainfall infiltration conditions. Through a parametric study and comparison with the test results, the proposed method is found to describe well the characteristics during water evaporation/infiltration into unsaturated soils. Finally, an unsaturated soil slope with water infiltration is analyzed in detail to investigate the development of the displacement and generation of pore water pressure.     

深厚砂质覆盖层土坝的弹塑性地震反应分析

由于可液化砂质土应力-应变特性模拟的复杂性及数值计算的不稳定性,深厚砂质覆盖层土坝的弹塑性地震反应分析是土坝抗震研究中的一个尚未完全解决的课题。采用u-p完全耦合的饱和多孔介质有限元分析方法和砂土多重机构弹塑性模型,对遭受M6.7级地震的国外某深厚砂质覆盖层土坝进行弹塑性地震反应分析,研究了坝体和地基的动力反应特性及其超静孔隙水压力产生、扩散和消散的变化规律。结果表明：计算得到的坝体加速度和永久变形与实测值存在一定的差异,但基本上反映了坝体加速度与永久变形的实际分布情况,从而说明采用的本构模型和计算方法具有一定的精度;由于坝体和坝基的超静孔隙水压力较小,且坝体永久变形不大,可以不对坝体和坝基进行加固处理;坝趾附近浅层地基的超静孔隙水压力较大,有可能发生液化,因此,须采取相应的抗液化加固措施。     

粗粒料接触面模型及其在土石坝工程中的应用

在土石坝工程中越来越重视岸坡与坝料之间的接触特性,将土体本构模型中使用较多的双曲线型硬化规律运用至接触面模型,提出了一个简洁的接触面本构模型,推导了接触面模型刚度矩阵表达式。通过对4组试验的预测结果与试验结果的对比,表明该模型可以较好地预测粗粒料的界面剪切试验。将提出的接触面模型嵌入有限元程序,应用于如美心墙坝河谷与坝料的接触分析。三维有限元计算结果表明：坝体两侧岸坡的剪切位移变化规律都是中间部分剪切滑移量较大,岸坡边缘部分相对较小,陡坡一侧最大滑移量大于较缓一侧。这些均符合粗粒料滑移的基本规律,可为岸坡?坝料接触特性研究以及土石坝工程计算提供参考。     

砾石土心墙堆石坝施工期孔隙水压力分析

土石坝在施工过程中会在大坝心墙中产生超静孔隙水压力。对于高土石坝,施工期心墙防渗体内产生的超静孔隙水压力难以有效消散,因此坝体内部可能会出现较高的孔隙水压力。结合监测资料分析了填筑料的含水量和施工进度对心墙内孔隙水压力的影响。坝体内的高孔隙水压力对大坝的稳定性和安全性会产生重要影响。因此,加强施工期孔隙水压力的监测与分析工作,对于指导施工与设计,保证大坝的安全具有重要意义。     

基于SWCC试验数据的坝体非饱和非稳态渗流与稳定性研究

饱和-非饱和状态是土存在于自然界的真实状态,描述和解释这种状态的非饱和土力学理论在土石坝渗流、污染物传输、冻土渗流相变、边坡和路基稳定性分析等领域有着广泛的应用。非饱和土的土水特征曲线(SWCC)是非饱和土力学研究的基本内容之一,对非饱和土体渗流和稳定性分析至关重要。采用Python语言开发了非饱和渗流与稳定性分析软件包USSA和非饱和土土水特征曲线试验数据处理和模型拟合界面。对非饱和土的土水特征曲线数据进行处理,以模型拟合参数作为基本输入进行非饱和渗流场的模拟,再到非饱和土的稳定性分析,详细呈现了非饱和土渗流与稳定性分析及软件开发的全过程。基于SWCC模型的拟合参数对坝体渗流稳定性进行了分析,分析结果表明水位变化过程中坝体两侧斜坡具有明显不同的稳定性演化规律。当采用有限元强度折减法进行非饱和土斜坡稳定性分析时,最终安全系数为所有边坡安全系数演化曲线的最低包络线。     

Numerical modeling of multiphase fluid flow in deforming porous media: A comparison between two- and three-phase models for seismic analysis of earth and rockfill dams

In this paper, a fully coupled numerical model is presented for the finite element analysis of the deforming porous medium interacting with the flow of two immiscible compressible wetting and non-wetting pore fluids. The governing equations involving coupled fluid flow and deformation processes in unsaturated soils are derived within the framework of the generalized Biot theory. The displacements of the solid phase, the pressure of the wetting phase and the capillary pressure are taken as the primary unknowns of the present formulation. The other variables are incorporated into the model using the experimentally determined functions that define the relationship between the hydraulic properties of the porous medium, i.e. saturation, relative permeability and capillary pressure. It is worth mentioning that the imposition of various boundary conditions is feasible notwithstanding the choice of the primary variables. The modified Pastor–Zienkiewicz generalized constitutive model is introduced into the mathematical formulation to simulate the mechanical behavior of the unsaturated soil. The accuracy of the proposed mathematical model for analyzing coupled fluid flows in porous media is verified by the resolution of several numerical examples for which previous solutions are known. Finally, the performance of the computational algorithm in modeling of large-scale porous media problems including the large elasto-plastic deformations is demonstrated through the fully coupled analysis of the failure of two earth and rockfill dams. Furthermore, the three-phase model is compared to its simplified one which simulates the unsaturated porous medium as a two-phase one with static air phase. The paper illustrates the shortcomings of the commonly used simplified approach in the context of seismic analysis of two earth and rockfill dams. It is shown that accounting the pore air as an independent phase significantly influences the unsaturated soil behavior.     

Modeling uncertainty in stability analysis for design of embankment dams on difficult foundations

A probabilistic 3-D slope stability analysis model (PTDSSAM) is developed to evaluate the stability of embankment dams and their foundations under conditions of staged construction taking into consideration uncertainty, spatial variabilities and correlations of shear strength parameters, as well as the uncertainties in pore water pressure. The model has the following capabilities: (1) conducting undrained shear strength analysis (USA) and effective stress analysis (ESA) slope stability analysis of staged construction, (2) incorporation of field monitored data of pore water pressure, and (3) incorporation of increase of undrained shear strength with depth, effective stress, and pore water pressure dissipation. The PTDSSAM model is incorporated in a computer program that can analyze slopes located in multilayered deposits, considering the total slope width.

The main outputs of the program are the geometric parameters of the most critical sliding surface (i.e., center of rotation/radius of rotation and critical width of failure), mean 2-D safety factor, mean 3-D safety factor, squared coefficient of variation of resisting moment, and the probability of slope failure. The program is applied to a case study, Karameh dam in Jordan. Monitored data of induced pore water pressure in the dam embankment and soft foundation were gathered during dam construction.

The stability of Karameh dam embankment and foundation was evaluated during staged construction using deterministic and probabilistic analysis. Foundation stability was evaluated based on the monitored data of pore water pressure.

The study showed that the mean values of the corrective factors which account for the discrepancies between the in situ and laboratory-measured values of soil properties and for the modeling errors have significant influence on the 2-D safety factor, 3-D safety factor, slope probability of failure, and on the expected failure width.

The degree of spatial correlation associated with shear strength parameters within a soil deposit also influences the probability of slope failure and the expected failure width. This correlation is quantified by scale of fluctuation. It is found that a larger scale of fluctuation gives an increase in the probability of slope failure and a reduction in the critical failure width.     

Finite element consolidation analysis of embankments

The construction of earth embankments may lead to the development of excess pore pressures in foundation and embankment soils. The ability to predict the development and dissipation of these pore pressures is important in assessing the performance of such structures. This paper describes a finite element analysis method that allows the prediction of the behaviour of embankments including stress-deformation and consolidation behaviour. The application of the method is demonstrated through application to a reinforced embankment on peat and clay and to a high rockfill dam.     

土石坝拟静力抗震稳定分析的强度折减有限元法

基于拟静力抗震设计概念,提出利用强度折减有限单元法分析土石坝的抗震稳定性,给出了两种确定地震惯性力的方法：（1）依据《水工建筑物抗震设计规范》[1],并结合有关土石坝动态分布系数计算了沿坝高分布的地震惯性力;（2）直接利用土石坝有限元地震动力反应分析得到的单元节点加速度反应,依据建议的方法确定坝体各单元节点的地震惯性力。将上述计算确定的地震惯性力与其他形式的外荷载共同作用到土石坝上,采用强度折减有限元法确定土石坝坝体的拟静力抗震安全系数。对于稳定渗流期,水位降落期等不同工况,或需要考虑振动孔隙水压力作用的饱和无黏性土填筑坝等不同计算条件,给出了使用折减强度有限元法分析坝体抗震稳定性的实现途径和方法。研究表明,有限元法对边界条件、复杂断面条件和材料分区及荷载组合均具有较强的适应能力,因此,使用有限元法分析土石坝抗震稳定性具有显著的优越性。     

Performance of the horizontal drains in upstream shell of earth dams on the upstream slope stability during rapid drawdown conditions

Slope stability analysis during rapid drawdown is an important consideration in the design of embankment dams. During rapid drawdown, the stabilizing effect of the water on the upstream face is lost, but the pore water pressures within the embankment may remain high. As a result, the stability of the upstream face of the dam can be much reduced. Installing horizontal drains is a very efficient and cost-effective method for reducing the pore water pressure and increasing the stability of the upstream slope. The theory of horizontal drains in the upstream shell of earth dams is well established, but there seems to be limited resources available for the design of this type of horizontal drains. Hence, this study is focused on the performance of horizontal drains in the upstream shell of the slope of earth dams on the upstream slope stability during rapid drawdown conditions. The parametric study has been conducted on the variation of horizontal drain parameters such as the number of drains, their length, and their location. In this study, ten scenarios were analyzed based on different drainage configurations and the performance of each scenario is investigated on the seepage and the upstream slope stability during rapid drawdown conditions using finite element and limit equilibrium methods. The results demonstrated that the stability of the upstream slope during rapid drawdown conditions increases by increasing the number of drains. The length of drains extending further from its intersection with the critical failure surface does not provide any significant change in the factor of safety. Finally, the study also found that installing drains in the lower region of the upstream shell of earth dams gives more stability than those installed in higher elevations.     

降雨入渗下高填强夯矿渣边坡滑坡机理研究

义马煤业集团股份有限公司所属综能公司在建场地中部有一20m高矿渣边坡,矿渣为三叠系砂岩、泥岩,堆积至今已有10 ～50a.该边坡整体属软质岩石,多全风化土状和强风化状,砂岩碎块手刻可碎,结构疏松、分选性差、粒间结合力弱、透水性强.虽经强夯处理,但在2010年雨季期间在边坡中下部仍出现多处滑塌.为研究该高填强夯矿渣边坡在...     

三维过渡等参单元在岩土工程有限元分析中的应用

土石坝等复杂土工结构物有限元三维建模中多采用精度较高的六面体单元辅以部分过渡用的退化单元,而退化单元由于形态不好,会导致有限元计算精度较差。解决该问题的途径之一是采用过渡性的等参元。总结了几种常遇到的过渡等参单元（楔形体、四面体、金字塔）的插值函数和高斯积分局部坐标和权重,并编入了有限元程序。通过比较六面体单元和金字塔单元剖分理想土石坝的有限元计算结果,说明所引入的金字塔单元是满足精度要求的。将各种过渡单元应用于实际土石坝工程的有限元计算,结果表明,使用过渡等参单元是可以在一定程度上提高计算精度的。最后讨论了二次单元在弹塑性有限元动力计算中的应用。二次单元的使用,可以改善动力计算中的超静孔压分布,提高计算精度。     

高堆石坝砾石土心墙施工期应力监测与分析

对于高堆石坝,施工期心墙内部是否会出现过低的竖向土压力或较高的孔隙水压力对施工期以及蓄水期大坝安全稳定具有重要意义。以施工期砾石土心墙应力监测资料为基础,结合施工进度和过程资料,分别从时间、空间和影响因素分析砾石土心墙施工期竖向土压力和孔隙水压力,以期对土质心墙高堆石坝的设计理论和施工措施的完善具有促进作用。竖向土压力主要和土重度、土柱厚度和拱效应有关,沿坝轴线基本为对称分布;心墙拱效应最强烈的部位大约在1/3坝高处坝轴线附近;存在拱效应的高程土压力呈驼峰状分布,坝轴线附近土压力最小。孔隙水压力主要和竖直土压力、含水率有关。在大坝填筑过程中,应加强心墙土料和上下游坝壳含水率的控制,避免过高孔隙水压力的产生,并降低拱效应的影响。     

非饱和-非稳定渗流条件下的边坡临界滑动场

受季节性降雨或水库运行的影响,岸坡外水位及坡内孔隙水压力场的变化较大,不利于岸坡的稳定性。在水位变化过程中,利用非饱和-非稳定渗流有限元计算得到孔隙水压力场,基于非饱和土的渗流和抗剪强度理论,对水位变化过程中的边坡临界滑动场法进行改进,提出可考虑水位变化与岸坡非饱和-非稳定渗流过程的边坡临界滑动场数值模拟方法。将改进后的水位变化过程中的边坡临界滑动场法分别应用于黏土、粉土岸坡在水位升降过程中的稳定性分析,研究了水位升降速率及基质吸力对岸坡稳定性的影响,并揭示了边坡在水位变化过程中的稳定性变化历程。研究表明,该方法计算结果合理、可靠,更适用于涉水边坡的稳定性计算,且岸坡稳定性变化历程受水位升降速率、基质吸力等多种因素共同影响,只有在考虑非稳定渗流的基础上同时考虑基质吸力的作用才能正确得出水位变化过程中岸坡稳定性变化规律和实质。     

水位骤降时的非饱和坝坡稳定分析

从非饱和土抗剪强度理论出发,应用极限平衡法和以有限元应力计算为基础的极限平衡法,分别对库水位骤降时的坝坡稳定进行了计算。分析中采用非饱和-非稳定渗流理论,模拟了孔隙水压力的消散过程,并考虑基质吸力对土体抗剪强度的影响,将每个渗流分析结果调入稳定分析模块计算其稳定性。最后将两类极限平衡法稳定分析结果进行了比较,结果表明,库水位的骤降,易引起坝坡的滑动,随着超静孔隙水压力的消散,坝坡稳定性逐渐提高;随着孔压消散,基质吸力对抗剪强度的贡献增大。     

Strength reduction FEM in stability analysis of soil slopes subjected to transient unsaturated seepage

The instability of soil slopes induced by the fluctuation of water level or rainfall has received much attention in the literature recently and the failure mechanism is closely related to the change of matric suction of unsaturated soils. Such a change is basically induced by unsaturated transient seepage. The traditional approach for estimating the stability of slopes subjected to unsaturated transient seepage is based on the limit equilibrium method (LEM). The limit equilibrium approach is limited by assumptions about analysis method and failure mechanism. In order to overcome those limitations, a finite element method with shear strength reduction technique (SSRFEM) has been successfully applied to the slope stability analysis in absence of seepage. The main objective of this paper is to extend the use of the strength reduction FEM to include the effects of unsaturated transient seepage and some primary numerical results concerning the stability of an earth dam under rapid drawdown are presented. Emphasis has been given to comparison of the safety factors obtained by LEM and SSRFEM. Topics for the further research in this area are also suggested.     

降雨对路堤斜坡稳定性影响的时间效应

以某高速公路填筑试验路堤为例,基于非饱和土渗透及强度理论,采用渗流场与应力场、稳定性计算耦合的方法,对两种不同透水特性的路堤在降雨过程中孔隙水压力和稳定性系数随时间变化的特点及规律进行较为深入的探讨。结果表明,（1）透水性能较好的路堤斜坡下部降雨入渗要强于斜坡上部,透水性能较差的路堤斜坡,雨水往往以近似于均匀的形式入渗;（2）透水能力强的路堤斜坡在短暂的超强降雨或者强度较低但持续时间超长的降雨过程中,其最小稳定性系数易于出现滞后现象,一般滞后0.5～3 d,透水能力差的路堤斜坡最小稳定性系数有显著滞后特点,一般滞后7～15 d;（3）总降雨量一定、雨强大于等于50 mm/d条件下透水能力强斜坡能达到的最小稳定性系数随降雨时间增长而降低,而透水能力差的斜坡最小稳定性系数受雨强和降雨时间共同影响。     

高堆石坝心墙渗流特性离心模型试验研究

高土石坝在施工期心墙会产生超静孔隙水压力,且难以有效消散,蓄水后心墙从非稳定渗流状态到稳定渗流状态,因此,渗流特性异常复杂。目前,有限元方法进行渗流计算不能考虑施工期引起的孔隙水压力,因而不能完全了解土石坝的渗流特性。长河坝为砾石土心墙堆石坝,最大坝高为240 m。利用离心模型试验技术,通过分析长河坝施工期和运行期心墙的孔隙水压力的产生和消散变化规律研究大坝心墙的渗流特性。试验结果表明,心墙孔隙水压力经历施工时的增长期、竣工后的消散期、非稳定渗流时的增长期和消散期、稳定渗流时的稳定期5个阶段。心墙高程不同、填筑含水率不同,各阶段的孔隙水压力和历时也不同。心墙位置越高或填筑含水率越大,施工期孔隙水压力系数越大,形成稳定渗流所需时间越短。心墙位置越高或填筑含水率越小,心墙位势越大,非稳定渗流期心墙位势大于稳定渗流期。研究成果对高心墙堆石坝设计和施工具有指导意义。     

库水位下降时的岸坡非稳定渗流问题研究

水位下降时岸坡的渗流是涉及土体由饱和向非饱和状态过渡的水-气二相流过程,目前相关研究成果大都假设孔隙气压力为0,忽略孔隙气的影响。根据水、空气的质量守恒定律和达西定律,结合多相流理论建立水-气二相流模型,采用高效的积分有限差分法求解,通过变换主要变量,实现饱和（单相）与非饱和（二相）的相互转变,并给出各种边界条件下合理的数学处理方法。通过Muskat渗流问题,验证了上述模型的正确性;并对某土质岸坡水位下降时的非稳定渗流问题进行分析,结果表明,岸坡的基质吸力小于浸润线以上的负孔隙水压力,在浸润线以上的很大区域为毛细管水饱和带,其土体饱和且基质吸力为0,这对边坡稳定十分不利,精确分析水位下降的边坡稳定问题时,孔隙气压力变化的影响值得研究。     

Implementation of a hydromechanical elastoplastic constitutive model for fully coupled dynamic analysis of unsaturated soils and its validation using centrifuge test results

Prediction of unsaturated soil behavior during earthquake loading has received increasing attention in geotechnical engineering research and practice in recent years. Development of a fully coupled analysis procedure incorporating a coupled hydromechanical elastoplastic constitutive model for dynamic analysis of unsaturated soils has, however, been limited. This paper presents the implementation of a coupled hydromechanical elastoplastic constitutive model into a fully coupled dynamic analysis procedure and its validation using a centrifuge test. First, the fully coupled finite element equations governing the dynamic behavior of unsaturated soils with the solid skeleton displacement, pore water pressure, and pore air pressure as nodal unknowns are briefly presented. The closest point projection method is then utilized to implement the coupled hydromechanical elastoplastic constitutive model into the finite element equations. The constitutive model includes hysteresis in soil–water characteristic curves, cyclic elastoplasticity of the solid skeleton, and the coupling mechanisms between the SWCCs and the solid skeleton. Finally, the analysis procedure is validated using the results from a dynamic centrifuge test on an embankment constructed of compacted unsaturated silt subjected to base shaking. Reasonable comparisons between the predicted and measured accelerations, settlements, and deformed shapes are obtained.