Large deformation performance of the anti-seepage system connection part in earth core dam built on thick overburden

Xiang Yu, Gan Wang, Yuke Wang, Xueming Du and Yongqian Qu

Abstract

Dams are inevitably planned to be built on thick overburden with high permeability and deformability. The connection part between concrete cut-off wall in overburden and earth core in dam body is not only a key part of the anti-seepage system, but also a weak position. Large uneven settlement will be aroused at the concoction part. However, the interaction behavior and the scope of the connection part cannot be determined effectively. In this paper, numerical analysis of a high earth core dam built on thick overburden was carried out with large deformation FE method. The mechanical behavior of the connection part was detail studied. It can be drawn that there is little differences in dam integral deformation for different analysis method, but big differences were found at the connection part. The large deformation analysis method can reasonably describe the process that concrete wall penetrates into soil. The high plasticity clay has stronger ability to adapt to large uneven deformation which can reduce stress level, and stress state of concrete wall is also improved. The scope of high plasticity clay zone in the connection part can be determined according to stress level of soils and penetration depth of concrete wall.

Key Words

connection part; earth core dam; large deformation numerical analysis; mechanical behavior; thick overburden

Address

Xiang Yu: School of Water Conservancy Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Major Infrastructure Testing and Rehabilitation Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China; The State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China Gan Wang: School of Water Conservancy Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China 2National Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Major Infrastructure Testing and Rehabilitation Technology, Zhengzhou Yuke Wang and Xueming Du: School of Water Conservancy Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Major Infrastructure Testing and Rehabilitation Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China Yongqian Qu: The State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China

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