Three-Dimensional Static and Dynamic Analyses of an Asphalt-Concrete Core Dam

Abstract

The three-dimensional finite element method is employed to study the static and dynamic behavior of an asphalt-concrete core rockfill dam. The results show that the distribution of the stress and deformation of the asphalt-concrete core at the completion stage and during the operating period is reasonable and the core won’t experience shear failure. Second, the vertical stress within the impervious core is higher than the upstream hydrostatic pressure, and hydraulic fracture is thought to be impossible. Third, under earthquake loading, an obvious whipping effect can be seen at the crest of the dam. The higher the input earthquake acceleration peak is, the larger the value of the maximum acceleration response of the dam body will be. The distribution of the maximum dynamic displacement of the dam is similar to that of the maximum acceleration response. In addition, under earthquake loading, the shear strength of the asphalt-concrete core is higher than the shear stress of the core, meaning that shear failure will neither occur in the core under dynamic loading. Through the systemic research on the static and dynamic behavior of the asphalt-concrete core dam, it can be obtained that the impervious system of the dam is good at the completion and impounding stages and the stress and the deformation behaviors of the dam are also good under earthquake loading. The results also show that better joining forms of the dam core and the impervious wall are put forward through optimization design to improve the stress deformation at this part and guarantee the safety of the dam body.

The National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFC0404800).