AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE BASE SLIDING RESPONSE OF RIGID CONCRETE GRAVITY DAMS TO DYNAMIC LOADING

A series of dynamic slip tests on a concrete gravity dam model was conducted on a shaking table. The aim of the experiments was to investigate the dynamically induced sliding and overturning characteristics of a typical low height gravity dam monolith cracked at its base. Tests indicated that downstream sliding is the main instability that could be expected during an earthquake. Dynamic, finite element analyses of the experimental model, using a Lagrangian contact surface algorithm, were also performed. A comparison of the experimental and analytical responses indicated that the seismically induced slip can be predicted reasonably by such a contact surface algorithm implemented in a standard finite element package. A comparison of observed displacements with Newmark's sliding block displacements indicated that a conservative estimate of seismic induced slip of a gravity dam could be obtained by using Newmark's sliding block concept, generally adopted for earth dams and embankments.     

峡谷区域水电开发景观影响评价——以怒江为例

水电开发的环境影响评价近年来日益受到重视。景观影响评价是一个重要的内容。在简要 阐述水电开发的景观影响评价的相关概念及意义之后,首先阐述了峡谷区域水电开发的景观影 响及评价方法,然后以怒江为例, 具体探讨了峡谷区域水电开发景观影响评价的过程与结果。通 过设计一系列景观测度参数,包括可视域损失、大坝视觉影响范围、高差损失、景点改变、峡谷急 流损失等, 并利用GIS 进行模拟,基于计算结果对水电建设对峡谷整体和局部景观影响以及坝址 各段建库适宜性进行了评价。最后指出, 在怒江这样的急流高山峡谷上建坝应该慎而又慎, 其决 策应参考包含景观影响评价在内的环境影响评价, 并应逐步完善此方面的立法。     

Asymptotic formulae for correcting finite element predicted natural frequencies of gravity and embankment dams

Extraction of natural frequencies of a gravity dam or an embankment dam plays an important role in the seismic design of the dam because the seismic response of a dam is dependent largely on the dynamic characteristics of the dam. Owing to the lack of exact solutions and the geometry of a dam, numerical methods such as finite element methods have been often used to extract the natural frequencies of the dam. Since the finite element method is an approximate one, the resulting finite element solution to the natural frequency of a dam cannot be safely used unless its accuracy is evaluated within the acceptable range for the seismic design of the dam. To solve this problem, some asymptotic formulae for correcting the finite element predicted natural frequencies of a gravity dam and an embankment dam have been developed in this paper. Since the present asymptotic formulae are derived from the fact that the finite element solution tends to the exact one if the finite element size used approaches zero, they provide a corrected solution of higher accuracy for the natural frequency of a dam so that the accuracy of a finite element solution can be evaluated against this corrected solution. After the correctness and usefulness of the present formulae are assessed, two practical examples have been given to show how the asymptotic formulae can be used to correct and evaluate the discretization error for the finite element predicted natural frequencies of gravity dams and embankment dams.     

Seismic hazard evaluation for dams in northern Colorado, U.S.A.

A seismic hazard evaluation for three dams in the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado is based on a study of the historical seismicity. To model earthquake occurrence as a random process utilizing a maximum likelihood method, the catalog must exhibit random space-time characteristics. This was achieved using a declustering procedure and correction for completeness of recording. On the basis of the resulting a- and b-values, probabilistic epicentral distances for a 2 × 10^–5 annual probability were calculated. For a random earthquake of magnitude M _L 6.0–6.5, this distance is 15 km. Suggested ground motion parameters were estimated using a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. Critical peak horizontal accelerations at the dams are 0.22g if median values are assumed and 0.39g if variable attenuation and seismicity rates are taken into account. For structural analysis of the dams, synthetic acceleration time series were calculated to match the empirical response spectra. In addition, existing horizontal strong motion records from two Mammoth Lakes, California earthquakes were selected and scaled to fit the target horizontal acceleration response spectra.     

Seismic fragility assessment of concrete gravity dams

Many concrete gravity dams have been in service for over 50 years, and over this period important advances in the methodologies for evaluation of natural phenomena hazards have caused the design‐basis events for these dams to be revised upwards. Older existing dams may fail to meet revised safety criteria and structural rehabilitation to meet such criteria may be costly and difficult. Fragility assessment provides a tool for rational safety evaluation of existing facilities and decision‐making by using a probabilistic framework to model sources of uncertainty that may impact dam performance. This paper presents a methodology for developing fragilities of concrete gravity dams to assess their performance against seismic hazards. The methodology is illustrated using the Bluestone Dam on the New River in West Virginia, which was designed in the late 1930s. The seismic fragility assessment indicated that sliding along the dam–foundation interface is likely if the dam were to be subjected to an earthquake with a magnitude of the maximum credible earthquake (MCE) specified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Moreover, there will likely be tensile cracking at the neck of the dam at this level of seismic excitation. However, loss of control of the reservoir is unlikely. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

修筑寒区小型水利工程的经验回顾

The paper provides a review of experience with the construction of hydraulic projects in the permafrost regions. Principles for construction, operation and maintenance of earth dams are refined and formulated. High priority needs for improving the stability of structures are identified.     

Continuous ambient‐vibration monitoring of the arch dam of Mauvoisin

This paper presents the experimental programme and results of a continuous ambient vibrations recording programme carried out on the 250 m arch dam of Mauvoisin. This project follows a series of previous measurements completed for seven different water levels. An automated system was set up on the dam and the ambient vibrations were recorded twice daily for a period of 6 months. Frequency shifts were tracked throughout the testing period and the effects of the varying water level were identified. The results confirmed the behaviour observed in previous ambient‐ and forced‐vibration tests. The added‐mass effects are overcome by the stiffening of the dam due to increasing hydrostatic pressure for lower reservoir levels. This trend is then reversed for higher water levels. Any temperature‐related effects were not identified. The experimental techniques are briefly described and the frequency identification process and its limitations are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An experimental evaluation of ice cover effects on the dynamic behaviour of a concrete gravity dam

An extensive forced‐vibration testing programme has been carried out on an 84‐m concrete gravity dam located in northeastern Québec, Canada. The dam was subjected to a harmonic load on the crest in summer and severe winter conditions with temperatures ranging from ?10°C to ?15°C and a 1.0–1.5m ice cover. Acceleration and hydrodynamic frequency responses were obtained in different locations on the dam and in the reservoir. The main objective of the repeated tests was to investigate the effects of the ice cover on the dynamic behaviour of the dam–reservoir–foundation system, by comparing summer and winter results. Modifications in damping and resonance frequencies were observed, as well as an additional resonance that was attributed to an interaction of the dam with the ice cover. These findings provided a reliable and unique database for the investigations of dam–reservoir–foundation interaction and, in particular, the ice‐cover effects for dams located in northern regions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

尼泊尔Andhi Khola河研究参照点的识别及确认（英文）

参照条件是开展河流生态学研究的基础,这些条件不受或很少受到人为干扰。为研究尼泊尔Andhi Khola河上一处河坝的生态影响,采用野外快速生物筛分(RFB)法预先划分出2个研究参照点或最少干扰参照点,于2013年1月和2月采集了生物学样品(大型脊椎动物)和物理-化学样品。对大型无脊椎动物区系使用多栖息地采样(MHS)法。通过一些指标对预选的研究点进行了确认,这些指标是:尼泊尔生物评价法(NEPBIOS)、生物监测评价法(BMWP)、兴都库什喜马拉雅生物评价法(HKHBIOS)、Hilsenhoff法(HILSENHOFF),以及国家卫生基金会水质指标法(NSFWQI)。NEPBIOS、HKHBIOS、HILSENHOFF、RFB以及NSFWQI指标预测2个参照点的河水水质都比较好,达到II级水准。只有BMWP/ASPT水质指标预测2个参照点的河水水质都很好,达到I级水准。如此,预选的这2个水质较好的点(II级)被确认为研究参照点。本研究表明,多度量法适用于即将修建水利工程的河流的监测与评价。     

Climatic and anthropogenic factors affecting river discharge to the global ocean, 1951–2000

During the last half of the 20th century, cumulative annual discharge from 137 representative rivers (watershed areas ranging from 0.3 to 6300 × 10³ km²) to the global ocean remained constant, although annual discharge from about one-third of these rivers changed by more than 30%. Discharge trends for many rivers reflected mostly changes in precipitation, primarily in response to short- and longer-term atmospheric–oceanic signals; with the notable exception of the Parana, Mississippi, Niger and Cunene rivers, few of these “normal" rivers experienced significant changes in either discharge or precipitation. Cumulative discharge from many mid-latitude rivers, in contrast, decreased by 60%, reflecting in large part impacts due to damming, irrigation and interbasin water transfers. A number of high-latitude and high-altitude rivers experienced increased discharge despite generally declining precipitation. Poorly constrained meteorological and hydrological data do not seem to explain fully these “excess” rivers; changed seasonality in discharge, decreased storage and/or decreased evapotranspiration also may play important roles.