Study on the working performance of Wudongde Arch Dam during the first impounding period

Abstract

The first impounding process in the foundation pit of an arch dam will lead to stress redistribution, and the working state of the dam needs to be reanalyzed. Taking the Wudongde Arch Dam under construction in China as the engineering background, ABAQUS finite element analysis software simulates the dam stress distribution and transverse seam opening of Wudongde Dam under four different impounding elevations. According to stress distribution and the opening degree of transverse seams, the optimal impounding elevation with the most negligible influence on the joint grouting process is determined. The simulation results indicate that the pressure generated by impounding will increase the dam deformation to the downstream river and banks. The maximum compressive stress of the upstream dam heel and the maximum tensile stress of the left and right arch abutments would decrease to some extent after impounding. The transverse seams have a tight compression tendency after impounding, and this tendency increases as the water level rises. According to the simulation results, the working performance of the dam is the best when the elevation difference between the impounding elevation and the joint grouting elevation is 36 m. Timely impounding is beneficial to the stress state of the dam and joint grouting process during the construction period.