Stability analysis on Tingzikou gravity dam along deep-seated weak planes during earthquake

Abstract

The stability of a gravity dam against sliding along deep-seated weak planes is a universal and important problem encountered in the construction of dams. There is no recommended method for stability analysis of the dam on deep-seated weak planes under earthquake condition in Chinese design codes. Taking Tingzikou dam as an example, the research in this paper is focused on searching a proper way to evaluate the seismic safety of the dam against sliding along deep-seated weak planes and the probable failure modes of dam on deep-seated weak planes during earthquake. It is concluded that there are two probable failure modes of the dam along the main weak geological planes in the foundation. In the first mode, the concrete tooth under the dam will be cut and then the dam together with part foundation will slide along the muddy layer; in the second mode, the dam together with part foundation will slide along the path consist of the weak rock layer under the tooth and the muddy layer downstream the tooth. While there is no geological structure planes to form the second slip surface, the intersection of the main and the second slip surface is 40 to 80 m downstream from dam toe, and the angle between the second slip surface and the horizontal plane probably be 25 to 45 degrees.