Volume XIII Issue 4
The failure of the Meihua arch dam, with perimetral joint, is studied in this paper using the non-linear FEM method. With the overload method, the safety factor is calculated, and the failure process is simulated. Failure patterns presented in the paper coincide with the actual failure patterns of the dam. The results indicate that the actual allowable water depth is 20.8m while the dam was in a state of overload before dam failure.
A rise caused by the uprise of the bank slopes is found in the middle part of the dam. The rise of temperature increases the value of the rise, which is harmful to the whole stability of the dam, especially to a dam with perimetral joint. Yielding and cracking first appear in the bank slopes and the corner of joint, and then failure caused by rising of the middle part of the dam occurs. Afterwards, the dam abutment without joint is yielded. Finally the action of water caused dam failure, shown by sliding along the surface of the joint and rotation around the dam abutment.
| Want to read the full paper? |
| To purchase a copy of this Dam Engineering paper, please email the Editor, Carrieann Davies, on: cdavies@wilmington.co.uk or fax: +44 (0) 20 8269 7804. |