Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Challenges of high dam construction to computational mechanics

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Frontiers of Architecture and Civil Engineering in China Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The current situations and growing prospects of China’s hydro-power development and high dam construction are reviewed, giving emphasis to key issues for safety evaluation of large dams and hydro-power plants, especially those associated with application of state-of-the-art computational mechanics. These include but are not limited to: stress and stability analysis of dam foundations under external loads; earthquake behavior of dam-foundation-reservoir systems, mechanical properties of mass concrete for dams, high velocity flow and energy dissipation for high dams, scientific and technical problems of hydro-power plants and underground structures, and newly developed types of dam-Roll Compacted Concrete (RCC) dams and Concrete Face Rock-fill (CFR) dams. Some examples demonstrating successful utilizations of computational mechanics in high dam engineering are given, including seismic nonlinear analysis for arch dam foundations, nonlinear fracture analysis of arch dams under reservoir loads, and failure analysis of arch dam-foundations. To make more use of the computational mechanics in high dam engineering, it is pointed out that much research including different computational methods, numerical models and solution schemes, and verifications through experimental tests and filed measurements is necessary in the future.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. China Society for Hydro-Power Engineering. The China’s Year Book of Hydro-power. Beijing: China Society for Hydro-Power Engineering, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Qian Zhengying, Zhang Guangdou. A comprehensive report on the study of sustainable development of China’s water resources. Beijing: China Water Power Press, 2001 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  3. The United States Bureau of Reclamation. Treatise on dams. The United States Bureau of Reclamation, 1949

  4. Pan Jiazheng. Design and computation of gravity dams. Beijing: China Water Power Press, 1965 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Londe P. Une method d’analyze o’trois dimensions de la stabilite d’une reae rocheme. Ponts Chaus, 1984, 1: 37–60

    Google Scholar 

  6. Zhu B F. Several problems in the optimum design of double-curved arch dams. Computational Structural Mechanics and Application, 1984, 3: 11–21 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Howell C H, Jaquith A C. Analysis of arch dams by trial-load method. Trans ASCE, 1929, 93: 1191

    Google Scholar 

  8. Clough R W. The finite element method in plane stress analysis. In: proceedings of ASCE second conf on electronic computation. ASCE, 1960

  9. Clough R W, Raphael J M, Mojtahedi S. ADAP-A computer program for static and dynamic analysis of arch dams. Report EERC 73-14, 1973

  10. Zienkiewicz O C. The finite element in structural and continuum mechanics. London: McGraw-Hill, 1967

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  11. Kawai T. New element models in discrete structural analysis. J Soc Naval Arch Jpn, 1977, 141: 187–193

    Google Scholar 

  12. Bazant Z P, Belytschko T B, Chang T P. Continuum theory for strain softening, J Eng Mech ASCE, 1984, 110: 1666–1692

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bazant Z P. Why continuum damage is nonlocal: Micromechanics arguments. J Eng Mech ASCE, 1991, 117: 1070–1087

    Google Scholar 

  14. Cundall P A. A computer model for simulating progressive large scale movement in blocky system. In: Proc Symp Int Soc Rock Mech. Nancy, France, 1971, 1: 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  15. Goodman R E, Shi G H. Block theory and its application to rock engineering. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1985

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hansen K D, Roehm L H. The response of concrete dams to earthquake. Water Power and Dam Construction, 1979, 31(4): 27–31

    Google Scholar 

  17. Swanson A A, Sharma R P. Effects of the 1971 San Fernando earthquake on Pacoima arch dam. In: Proc 13th ICOLD. New Delhi: ICOLD, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  18. Tsinghua University Design Group. Analysis of slope sliding and strengthen design of Miyun Baihe main dam during 1976 Tangshan earthquake. Report of Tsinghua Univ Design Group, 1978

  19. Shen Chungkang, Chen Houchun, Zhang Chuhan, et al. Earthquakes induced by reservoir impounding and their effect on Hsingfengjiang dam. Scientia Sinica, 1974, 17(2): 239–272

    Google Scholar 

  20. Koyna. Koyna earthquake of 11 December 1967. Report of the UNESCO Committee of Experts. New Delhi, 1968

  21. Clough R W, Zhang Guangdou. Earthquake behavior of arch dams. Oxford: Pergamon Journals Ltd, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  22. Zhang Chuhan, Xu Yanjie, Wang Guanglun, et al. Earthquake behavior of arch dams. In: Spencer B, Hu Y X (eds). Proceedings of China-US Millennium Symposium on earthquake engineering, Beijing: 2001

  23. Wieland M. Seismic aspects of dams. General report question 83. International Commission on Large Dams. Montréal, 2003

  24. Meier R W, Gerstle K H, Ko H Y. Effects of multiaxial compressive loading in the residual tensile strength of plain concrete. Report to the New Mexico Eng. Albuquerque: Research Inst University of New Mexico, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  25. Guo Z H, Wang C Z. Investigation of strength and failure criterion of concrete under multiaxial stresses. China Civil Engineering Journal. 1991, 3: 1–14 (in Chinese)

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  26. Raphael J M. Tensile strength of concrete. ACI Journal, 1984, 81(2): 158–165

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  27. Bischoff P H. Compressive response of concrete to hard impact. Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. London: Imperial College of Science and Technology, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  28. Mavle L J, Ross C A. Review of strain rate effects for concrete in tension. ACI Materials Journal, 1988, 95(6): 735–739

    Google Scholar 

  29. Ebil J, Curbach M. An attempt to explain strength increase due to high loading rates. Nuclear Eng and Design, 1989, 112: 45–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Ebil J, Schmidt-Hurtienne B. Stress history versus strain history. In: Proceedings of Euro-C 1998 Conference on Computation Modeling of Concrete Structure. Rotterdam: Balkema, 1998, 613–622

    Google Scholar 

  31. Li Q B, Zhang L X, Ansari F. Damage constitutive for high strength concrete in triaxial cyclic compression. Int J Solids Struct, 2002, 39: 4013–4025

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  32. Wang Zhongmin. Crack growth, computer strength and deformation of nonhomogeneous materials (concrete). Dissertation for the Doctoral Degree. Beijing: Tsinghua University, 1996 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Knapp R T, Daily J W, Hammitt F G. Cavitation. New York: Magraw Hill Book Co, 1970

    Google Scholar 

  34. Hammitt F G. Cavitation and multiphase flow phenomena. New York: McGraw Hill Book Co, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  35. Wang R X, Cui G T. Research of arch dam vibration induced by the spillway flood nape dropping on the river bed. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 1991, 6: 26–34 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Kunming Design Institute of Water Power Research. Report on large flood overflow and energy dissipation incorporated with the Xiaowan arch dam. Contract No.85-208-01-04, 1995

  37. Chen Chunting. Large flood overflow structures for high dams. Beijing: China Water Power Press, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  38. Lin B N, Li G F. Chinese research on high velocity flow and principal development in the art of energy dissipation. In: Proceedings of Post Symposium for High Dams, Beijing: 1988

  39. Li Z, Lu D, Wang A, et al. Development and application of new technology for 3D geomechanical model test of large underground opening. In: Proc 10th Int ISRM Cong. ISRM, South Africa, 2003

  40. Sun J, Wang S J. Rock mechanics and rock engineering in China: Developments and current state-of-the-art. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2000, 37: 447–465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Wang S J. New era of rock mechanics and engineering. In: Proc 7th Chinese Symp. Rock Mech Eng. Beijing: Science and Technology Press, 2002 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Kawamoto T, Ichikawa Y, Kyoya T. Deformation and fracturing behavior of discontinuous rock mass and damage mechanics theory. Int J Numer Anal Meth Geomech, 1988, 12: 1–30

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  43. Zhou J, Lin G, Zhu T, et al. Experimental investigations into seismic failure of high arch dams. J Struct Eng ASCE, 2000, 126: 926–935

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Swoboda G, Yang Q. An energy-based damage model of geomaterials (1): Formulation and numerical results. Int J Solid Struct, 1999, 36: 1719–1734

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  45. Yang Q. State of the art of rock damage mechanics and some key issues related to its development. In: Proc 7th Chinese Symp Rock Mech Eng. Beijing: Science and Technology Press, 2002 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Shi G H, Goodman R E. Two dimensional discontinuous analysis. Int J Numer Anal Meth Geomech, 1985, 9: 541–556

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  47. Shi G H. Manifold method of material analysis. In: Proceedings of Trans 9th Army Conf Appl Math Comp. Minnesota, USA, 1991, 51–76

  48. Mei Z Y. Technology of pump-storage energy. Tsinghua University Press, 1988 (in Chinese)

  49. Raphael J M. The optimum gravity dam. In: Proceedings of Conference on Rapid Construction of Concrete Dams, ASCE. New York, 1970, 221–244

  50. Dunstan M R H. Latest developments in RCC dams. In: Proc Inter Symp RCC Dam. China, 1999, 14–29

  51. Liu G T, Li P H, Xie S N. RCC arch dams: Chinese research and practice. Hydropower and Dams, 2002, 9(3): 95–98

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  52. Cooke J B. Progress in rockfill dams (the Eighteenth Terzaghi Lecture). Journal of Geotechnical Engineering ASCE, 1984, 110(10): 1381–1414

    Google Scholar 

  53. Jiang Guochen, Zhao Zhenkai. High concrete face rock-fill dams in China. In: Proceedings of Symposium of CFRD 2000. Beijing, 2000

  54. Duncan J M, Chang C Y. Nonlinear analysis of stress and strain in soils. Soil Mech Found Div ASCE, 1970, 96(5): 1629–1653

    Google Scholar 

  55. Domaschuk L, Valliappan P. Nonlinear settlement analysis by finite element. Geotecical Eng Div ASCE, 1975, 101: 601–614

    Google Scholar 

  56. Naylor D J, Richards H. Slipping strip analysis of reinforced earth. Int J Numer Anal Meth Geomech, 1978, 2(4): 343–366

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  57. Gao Lianshi. The nonlinear uncoupled K-G model for rockfill material and its verification. In: 14th Int Conf Soil Mech Found Eng. Rotterdam: Balkema, 1997

    Google Scholar 

  58. Roscoe K H, Burland J B. On the generalized stress-strain behavior of wet clay eng plasticity. Cambridge: Cambridge University, 1968

    Google Scholar 

  59. Lade P V. Elasto-plastic stress-strain theory for cohesionless soil with curved yield surfaces. Int J Solid Struct, 1977, 13: 1019–1035

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  60. Shen Zhujiang. A new model for stress-strain relationship for soils. In: Proceeding os the 5th Chinese National Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. Beijing: China Architecture and Building Press, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  61. Clough R W. Nonlinear mechanisms in the seismic response of arch dams. In: Proceedings of International Research Conference on Earthquake Engineering. Skopje, 1980, 102–106

  62. Fenves G L, Mojtahedi S, Reimer R B. ADAP-88: A computer program for nonlinear earthquake analysis of concrete arch dams. Report No EERC 89-12. Berkeley: Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of California, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  63. Dowling M J, Hall J F. Nonlinear seismic analysis of arch dams. J Eng Mech ASCE, 1989, 115: 768–789

    Google Scholar 

  64. Zenz G, Obernhuber P, Aigner E. Concrete dam safety assessment under earthquake excitation. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on New Trends and Guidelines on Dam Safety. Rotterdam: Balkema, 1988, 483–492

    Google Scholar 

  65. Zhang Chuhan, Xu Yanjie, Jin Feng. Effects of soil-structure interaction on nonlinear response of arch dams. In: Zhang Chuhan, Wolf J P, eds. Dynamic Soil-structure Interaction. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1998, 95–105

    Google Scholar 

  66. Chen H Q, Du X L, Hou S Z. Application of transmitting boundary to non-linear dynamic analysis of an arch dam-foundation-reservoir system. In: Zhang Chuhan, Wolf J P, eds. Dynamic Soil-structure Interaction. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1998, 115–124

    Google Scholar 

  67. Zhang Chuhan, Jin Feng, Pekau O A. Time domain procedure of FE-BE-IBE coupling for seismic interaction of arch dams and canyons. Earthquake Eng Struct Dyn, 1995, 24: 1 651–1 666

    Google Scholar 

  68. Zhang Chuhan, Jin Feng, Wang Guanglun. Seismic interaction between arch dam and rock canyon. In: Proc 11th World Conf Earthquake Eng. Acapulco, 1996, Paper No 595, 41–48

  69. Zhang Chuhan, Xu Yanjie, Wang Guanglun, et al. Nonlinear seismic response of arch dams with contraction joint opening and joint reinforcements. Earthquake Eng Struct Dyn, 2000, 29: 1 547–1 566

    Google Scholar 

  70. Zhang Chuhan, Wang Guanglun, Zhao Chongbin. Seismic wave propagation effects on arch dam response. In: Proc 9th World Conf Earthquake Eng. Tokyo-Kyoto, 1988, VI, 367–372

  71. Chopra A K, Tan H. Modeling of dam-foundation interaction in analysis of arch dams. In: Proc 10th World Conf Earthquake Eng. Madrid, 1992, 8: 4 623–4 626

    Google Scholar 

  72. Dominguez J, Maeso O. Model for the seismic analysis of arch dams including interaction effects. In: Proc 10th World Conf Earthquake Eng. Madrid, 1992, 8: 4 601–4 606

    Google Scholar 

  73. Linsbauer H N, Ingraffea A R, Rossmanith H P, et al. Simulation of cracking in large arch dam (Part I). J Struct Eng ASCE, 1989, 115: 1 599–1 615

    Google Scholar 

  74. Linsbauer H N, Ingraffea A R, Rossmanith H P, et al. Simulation of cracking in large arch dam (Part II). J Struct Eng ASCE, 1989, 115: 1 616–1 630

    Google Scholar 

  75. Martha L F, Lorca J L, Ingraffea A R, et al. Numerical simulation of crack initiation and propagation in an arch dam. Dam Engineering, 1991, 2: 193–213

    Google Scholar 

  76. Feng L M, Pekau O A, Zhang Chuhan. Cracking analysis of arch dams by 3-D boundary element method. J Struct Eng ASCE, 1996, 122: 691–699

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Hillerbug A, Modeer M, Petersson P E. Analysis of crack formation and crack growth in concrete by means of fracture mechanics and finite elements. Cem Concr Res, 1976, 6: 773–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Bazant Z P, Cedolin L. Blunt crack band propagation in finite element analysis. J Eng Mech ASCE, 1979, 105: 297–315

    Google Scholar 

  79. Bazant Z P, Oh B H. Crack band theory for fracture of concrete. Mat Struct, 1983, 16: 155–177

    Google Scholar 

  80. Bazant Z P. Mechanics of distributed crackings. Appl Mech Rev, 1986, 39: 675–705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. Cope R J, Clark L A, Norris P. Modeling of reinforced concrete behavior for finite element analysis of bridge slabs. In: Taylor C, ed. Numerical Methods for nonlinear problems 1. Swansea: Pineridge Press, 457–470

  82. Gupta A K, Akbar H. Cracking in reinforced concrete analysis. J Eng Mech ASCE, 1984, 110: 1 735–1 746

    Google Scholar 

  83. Jirasek M, Zimmermann T. Analysis of rotating crack model, J Eng Mech ASCE, 1998, 124: 842–851

    Article  Google Scholar 

  84. Rots J G, Kusters G M A, Blaauwendraal J. The need for fracture mechanics options in finite element models for concrete structures. In: Damjanic F, ed. Proceedings of International Conference on Computer Aided Analysis and Design of Concrete Structures. Swansea: Pineridge Press, 1984, 19–32

    Google Scholar 

  85. Rots J G, Borst R. Analysis of mixed-mode fracture in concrete. Journal of Engineering Mechanics ASCE, 1987, 113(11): 1 739–1 758

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Jirasek M, Zimmermann T. Rotating crack model with transition to scalar damage. Journal of Engineering Mechanics ASCE, 1998, 124(3): 277–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Arrea M, Ingraffea A R. Mixed-mode crack propagation in mortar and concrete. Dept Struct Eng Report No 81-13, 1982

  88. Baustadter K, Widmann R. The behavior of the Kölnbrein arch dam. In: Proceedings of 15th Congress of International Commission on large dams. Lausanne: 1985, 2(Q57, R3): 633–651

    Google Scholar 

  89. Demmer W, Ludescher H. Measures taken to reduce uplift and seepage at Kölnbrein dam. In: Proceedings of 15th Congress of International Commission on Large Dams. Lausanne: 1985, 3(Q58, R81): 1 373–1 393

    Google Scholar 

  90. Zhou Yuande, Chen Guanfu, Yin Xianjun, et al. Cracking analysis of high arch dam heel by engineering analogical method. Journal of Hydroelectric Engineering, 2002, 1: 19–26 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  91. Development of Agriculture (France). Final report of the investigating committee of the Malpasset dam. Paris, 1960, I. II

  92. Londe P. The Malpasset dam failure. Engineering Geology, 1987, 24: 295–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  93. Ru N H, Jiang S Z. Accidents and safety of large dam: arch dams. Beijing: Chinese Water Power Press, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  94. Chen Z Z. The seismic influence on uplift-sliding of arch dam, earthquake behavior of arch dams. In: Clough, Zhang, eds. Proc of China-US Workshop. Beijing, 1987, 369–381

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Zhang Chuhan

Authors
  1. Zhang Chuhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhang Chuhan.

Additional information

Selected from Computational Mechanics, Proceedings of the Sixth World Congress on Computational Mechanics in Conjunction with the Second Asian-Pacific Congress on Computational Mechanics, Tsinghua University Press & Springer, 2004, 154–166

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhang, C. Challenges of high dam construction to computational mechanics. Front. Archit. Civ. Eng. China 1, 12–33 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-007-0002-6

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-007-0002-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation