Comparison between TVD-MacCormack and ADI-type solvers of the shallow water equations

A total variation diminishing (TVD) modification of the MacCormack scheme is developed for simulating shallow water dynamics on a uniform Cartesian grid. Results obtained using conventional and deviatoric forms of the conservative non-linear shallow water equations (SWEs) are compared for cases where the bed has a varying topography. The comparisons demonstrate that the deviatoric form of the SWEs gives more accurate results than the conventional form, in the absence of numerical balancing of the flux-gradient and source terms. A further comparison is undertaken between the TVD-MacCormack model and an alternating direction implicit (ADI) model for cases involving steep-fronted shallow flows. It is demonstrated that the ADI model is unable to predict trans-critical flows correctly, and artificial viscosity has to be introduced to remove spurious oscillations. The TVD-MacCormack model reproduces all flow regimes accurately. Finally, the TVD-MacCormack model is used to predict a laboratory-scale dyke break undertaken at Delft University of Technology. The predictions agree closely with the experimental data, and are in excellent agreement with results from an alternative Godunov-type model.     

Improvement of overtopping risk evaluations using probabilistic concepts for existing dams

Hydrologic risk analysis for dam safety relies on a series of probabilistic analyses of rainfall-runoff and flow routing models, and their associated inputs. This is a complex problem in that the probability distributions of multiple independent and derived random variables need to be estimated in order to evaluate the probability of dam overtopping. Typically, parametric density estimation methods have been applied in this setting, and the exhaustive Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) of models is used to derive some of the distributions. Often, the distributions used to model some of the random variables are inappropriate relative to the expected behaviour of these variables, and as a result, simulations of the system can lead to unrealistic values of extreme rainfall or water surface levels and hence of the probability of dam overtopping. In this paper, three major innovations are introduced to address this situation. The first is the use of nonparametric probability density estimation methods for selected variables, the second is the use of Latin Hypercube sampling to improve the efficiency of MCS driven by the multiple random variables, and the third is the use of Bootstrap resampling to determine initial water surface level. An application to the Soyang Dam in South Korea illustrates how the traditional parametric approach can lead to potentially unrealistic estimates of dam safety, while the proposed approach provides rather reasonable estimates and an assessment of their sensitivity to key parameters.     

西南某巨型水电站坝区推覆断层研究

马家河坝断层发育于金沙江某巨型水电站库区,距坝址最近仅3km,且沿江两岸出露,主断面不同部分和次级断层结构样式和变形特征复杂。所以对断层的认识一直是大坝稳定性评价的重点也是争论的焦点。通过大比例尺野外填图、开挖平硐和室内构造解析获得了大量新资料,认为该断层是一个发育在地台内部的小型推覆构造。首次厘定了断层几何学和运动学特征和影响范围,分析了断层的动力学机制。这对大坝的施工和蓄水后的安全运行有重大意义。     

Seismic upgrade of hydraulic fill dam by buttressing

The vulnerability of hydraulic fill dams under strong earthquake shaking has long been recognized. When located in areas of high seismic hazard, seismic upgrading of these types of dams is often required to meet current dam safety standards. Selection of an appropriate design concept for seismic upgrading of such dams requires careful consideration of seismically induced deformations when the hydraulic fill is to remain as part of the dam. This paper presents a case history of the seismic upgrade of Butt Valley Dam, a hydraulic fill dam located in Northern California. The dam was strengthened to withstand the Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) by buttressing of its upstream and downstream slopes. The paper discusses the evaluation of alternatives to upgrade the dam, the design criteria, and the design and analysis of the seismic upgrade. It is shown that a conservative and robust design was developed based on well-established engineering principles and multiple lines of defense, and sound use of analysis procedures including finite-difference non-linear dynamic deformation analyses.     

Construction of grout curtain in karstic environment case study: Salman Farsi Dam

Salman Farsi is an arch-gravity dam. It is 125 m high and located on the Ghareh-Agaj River in Fars province, south of Iran. From the geological and hydrogeological point of view, this dam is one of the most complicated sites in Iran. Existence of 40 springs at the river level (including hot springs), and many faults and crushed zones are part of these complications. The dam site is famous for its numerous big caverns. Main characteristics of the rock mass are: (1) low permeable limestone of moderate to high strength, (2) high karstification generally localized around intersection of faults or discontinuities. The main purpose of grout curtains is to change the hydrogeological characteristics (reducing the permeability) of the rock mass. Constructing a grout curtain in a karstic environment with a high random distribution of karst features contains some uncertainties and surprises cannot be excluded. During the excavation of grouting galleries, some big caverns at both abutments were discovered. The volume of the biggest one (Golshan’s Cave) exceeds 150,000 m³. A large-scale underground geotechnical treatment is needed to improve the water tightness of the dam site.     

Modeling of dam break wave propagation in a partially ice-covered channel

During the last four decades, several numerical formulations and specialized software have been developed in response to studies about dam break (DB) wave propagation and its hydraulic and environmental impacts on downstream hydraulic structures and valleys. These methods cannot, however, be used to predict wave propagation within partially covered channels or reservoirs located upstream of hydraulic structures. In fact, such problems require the modelling of the complex transition from a free surface flow into a pressurized one. Because rivers or channels partially covered with ice sheets are typical examples commonly met in winter in northern climates, it is vitally important to assess ice-cover effects on the DB wave propagation and develop appropriate tools to predict resulting hydrodynamic loads on hydraulic structures downstream. This paper proposes an original numerical formulation to model wave propagation and hydrodynamic pressure in partially covered channels. The proposed formulation uses one-dimensional St. Venant equations to simulate open-water flow and water hammer equations to simulate pressure flow within the partially covered channel. To illustrate the use of the hydrodynamic pressures obtained, a case study is presented where a channel cover and a dam located downstream are modelled using finite elements to investigate their dynamic structural response.     

Origin of abnormal substances discharged from Baozhusi Dam Base, Sichuan, China

Baozhusi reservoir is a large-scale hydropower engineering project in Sichuan Province, China. After drainage wells were drilled in the dam base, white flocculent and black gel substances, accompanied by a rotten-egg odor, were found in some of the drainage water wells. On the basis of a brief introduction of the geological setting in Baozhusi Dam area, the origin of the abnormal substances were analyzed and discussed through the following procedures: (1) the abnormal substances were sampled and their chemical and mineral compositions were analyzed; (2) the origin of drainage waters were determined using the isotope method and well flux measurement results; (3) characteristics of chemical composition of drainage waters were discussed relative to other kinds of waters in the area; (4) process of formation of the abnormal substances were determined using hydrogeochemical methods; (5) laboratory immersion experiment was carried out to verify the conclusions. Results showed that the abnormal substances were formed by interactions between recharging water from the reservoir and dam base rock as well as dam building materials. Among these, the precipitation of calcite and dolomite, the dissolution of calcium hydroxide and anhydrite as well as the reduction of SO₄^–2 to H₂S by organic matter are the most important processes.     

MUD BANK SLIDING IN A DAM RESERVOIR

l INTRODUCTIONTo ensure the long-term futhe of dams, the emPtying of storage reservoirs is often realised with tWoobjectives:'-periodic insPection of the sttucthe,-flushing oftalrials Which sedimatd within the reservoir.Both aims are lthely to cause the instability of sedhoent, and these displacements can induceenvirOInnenal distheances that have to be reduced to the Ininimum. This imPlies a good knowledge ofthese maerials and of the processes Which originated the disPlacements.The se…     

Seepage problems in the karstic limestone foundation of the Kalecik Dam (south Turkey)

Seepage phenomena through the karstic limestone foundation of Kalecik Dam are investigated. The dam, designed as a rock-fill dam with a height of 77 m, is already used for irrigation. The foundation consists of Mesozoic ophiolite, Paleocene allochthonous units composed of different lithologies, and Miocene conglomerate. The conglomerate lies unconformably on the other units. Quaternary basaltic lava patchily covers the others. Seepage from upstream to downstream occurs through the allochthonous karstic limestone. This limestone, which is overlain by conglomerates, has a thickness increasing towards the right abutment.

To prevent seepage at the right abutment, a 200-m long and 60-m deep grout curtain along the dam axis was constructed. After the impoundment, some springs occurred downstream, and for this reason, extra grouting was performed. However, the seepage problem could not be solved. In order to determine the seepage direction and karstification pattern, hydrological studies have been done. Additional investigation boreholes have been drilled to observe fluctuations of the groundwater level and to analyze hydrochemistry. Also, dye tracer tests have been carried out.

As a result of these hydrogeological studies, seepage paths were observed in the karstic limestone located between the dam and the spillway. As those carbonate rocks continue beneath the spillway, the seepage problems are enjected to continue.     

Chemical element transfer of weathering granite regolith in the Three Gorges Dam region of Yangtze River

Clearing up sediment and regolith on the foundation of the dam in the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River in 1999, riverbed were exposed. On the basis of weathering granite regolith sampled from different portions of the valley landforms, by analysing total chemical contents with X rays fluorescent slice and calculating proper value of chemical element transferring ratio and intensity, the transferring law of chemical elements in different portions of the landforms were concluded: 1) In various landforms of the river valley, the process of desilication is not distinct; 2) in weathering granite regolith of riverbed, easy soluble CaO and MgO are relatively enriched whereas Al2O3 tends to decrease. The enriching rate of Fe2O3 is the greatest in various landforms of the river valley; 3) in weathering granite regolith of flood-plain, K2O and MgO contents are relatively enriched; 4) the weathering granite regolith of valley slope is a typical north subtropical weathering regolith, and its chemical weathering degree is in the transition phase from early to middle period; and 5) there is an opposite layer where K2O is relatively leaching and Na2O relatively enriching in 6.5 m depth of all weathering granite regolith.