The Analysis of Stress, Deformation and Arch Effect of the Lianghekou Earth-rockfill Dam

Abstract

Deformation, stress and arch effect are problems of interest for high earth- rockfill dams. Deformations and stresses during construction, impoundment and operation stages of Lianghekou earth-rockfill dam were studied through numerical methods. The filling materials were modeled by using the Mohr- Coulomb and Burgers models. As a result, the maximum vertical displacement is located in the middle of the dam height during every stage. The vertical displacement increases evidently during operation stage due to the time dependent behavior of the dam materials. The dam moves in the downstream direction after impoundment. The horizontal displacements of upstream rockfill and downstream rockfill increase during operation stage. The level of arch effect increases evidently after 10 years of operation due to the time dependent behavior of dam materials. The possibility of horizontal cracks and hydraulic fracturing is little during construction stage and impoundment stage, but increases evidently after operation.