Hydromechanical analysis of flow behavior in concrete gravity dam foundations

A key requirement in the evaluation of sliding stability of new and existing concrete gravity dams is the prediction of the distribution of pore pressure and shear strength in foundation joints and discontinuities. This paper presents a methodology for evaluating the hydromechanical behavior of concrete gravity dams founded on jointed rock. The methodology consisted of creating a database of observed dam behavior throughout typical cycles of reservoir filling and simulating this behavior with a distinct element method (DEM) numerical model. Once the model is validated, variations of key parameters including lithology, in situ stress, joint geometry, and joint characteristics can be incorporated in the analysis. A site-specific simulation of a typical reservoir cycle was carried out for Albigna Dam, Switzerland, founded on granitic rock, to assess the nature of the flow regime in the rock foundations and to evaluate the potential for sliding surfaces other than the dam–rock interface to develop. The factor of safety against sliding of various rock wedges of differing geometry present within the dam foundations was also evaluated using the DEM model and conventional analytical procedures. Estimates of crack propagation patterns and corresponding uplift pressures and factors of safety against sliding along the dam–rock interface obtained with the DEM were also compared with those from simplified procedures currently used in engineering practice. It was found that in a jointed rock, foundation uplift estimates after crack development obtained from present design guidelines can be too conservative and result in factors of safety that are too low and do not correspond to the observed behavior.Key words: hydromechanical, jointed rock, flow, dam design.