Research on reinforcement at the RCC dam toe of a hydropower station

Abstract

The dam of a hydropower station is a RCC arch dam. Based on relevant tests and monitoring data, the compression strength of the dam concrete and the temperature of grouting of the transverse joints in some areas do not meet the design standard. To solve those quality problems, this paper evaluated the stress and deformation of the present dam and checked the safety of the dam. In addition, by analyzing the reinforcement body of the dam, the paper assessed the safety of the reinforced dam. According to the calculating results by FEM, the maximum equivalent tensile stress exceeds the allowable tensile stress and the exceeding area mainly locates on the dam heel of upstream face, which extends about 5.20 meters upward from the foundation. The effect of the reinforcement at the dam toe is obvious and the tensile stress after reinforcement meets the standard under the condition that the shear strength between the reinforcement and the dam body is not reduced or is reduced by less than 30%.