Causes of the Abnormal Seepage Field in a Dam with Asphaltic Concrete Core  

作　　者：Jiafa Zhang Jinlong Wang Haodong Cui 

机构地区：[1]Key Laboratory of Geotechnical Mechanics and Engineering,Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute,Wuhan 43O01O,China [2]National Research Center for Dam Safety Technology,Wuhan 430010,China

出　　处：《Journal of Earth Science》2016年第1期74-82,共9页地球科学学刊（英文版）

基　　金：supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51279016);the National Science and Technology Support Program(No.2011BAB10B04)

摘　　要：Asphaltic concrete core（ACC） dams are widely built in China. Many ACC dams perform well, but others have experienced significant leakage including the case in western China studied herein. A numerical model of saturated-unsaturated water flow was adapted to simulate the seepage through the dam. By comparing the normal and abnormal seepage fields under different conditions, the main causes for the actual abnormal seepage field were identified and attributed to a defect in the ACC and an unintended, low permeability layer（LPL） in the transition zone（TZ） and the downstream dam shell. These conclusions are consistent with the situation and performance of the dam. Inadequate ACC construction processes might have caused defects in the ACC. An abrupt change of the ACC thickness probably induced stress concentrations and caused the ACC to fail. Material sources for the TZ and dam shell were complex and varied from specifications, and soil gradation for the TZ was inadequately controlled. In particular, tests show that the permeability varies over large ranges in these two parts of the dam. An unexpected LPL probably exists in both areas, and extends continuously.Asphaltic concrete core（ACC） dams are widely built in China. Many ACC dams perform well, but others have experienced significant leakage including the case in western China studied herein. A numerical model of saturated-unsaturated water flow was adapted to simulate the seepage through the dam. By comparing the normal and abnormal seepage fields under different conditions, the main causes for the actual abnormal seepage field were identified and attributed to a defect in the ACC and an unintended, low permeability layer（LPL） in the transition zone（TZ） and the downstream dam shell. These conclusions are consistent with the situation and performance of the dam. Inadequate ACC construction processes might have caused defects in the ACC. An abrupt change of the ACC thickness probably induced stress concentrations and caused the ACC to fail. Material sources for the TZ and dam shell were complex and varied from specifications, and soil gradation for the TZ was inadequately controlled. In particular, tests show that the permeability varies over large ranges in these two parts of the dam. An unexpected LPL probably exists in both areas, and extends continuously.

关 键 词：MODELING dam leakage dam material PERMEABILITY hydraulic gradient. 

分 类 号：TV64[水利工程—水利水电工程]