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Indexed by:期刊论文

Date of Publication:2017-01-01

Journal:ENGINEERING COMPUTATIONS

Included Journals:SCIE、EI、Scopus

Volume:34

Issue:4

Page Number:1126-1148

ISSN No.:0264-4401

Key Words:Finite element method; Alluviums; Earth core dams; Large-deformation analysis; Penetration process; Soil-Structure interaction

Abstract:Purpose - A large, uneven settlement that is unfavourable to dam safety can occur between a concrete cutoff wall and the high-plasticity clay of earth core dam built on alluviums. This issue has been often studied using the small-strain finite element (FE) method in previous research. This paper aims to research the interaction behaviour between a concrete cut-off wall and high-plasticity clay using large-deformation FE analyses.
   Design/methodology/approach - The re-meshing and interpolation technique with a small-strain (RITSS) method was performed using an independently developed program and adopted for large-deformation FE analyses, and a suitable element size for the high-plasticity clay region was suggested. The layered construction process of an earth core dam built on thick alluviums was simulated using the RITSS method incorporating a hyperbolic model for soil.
   Findings - The RITSS method is an effective technique for simulating the soil-structure interaction during dam construction. The RITSS analysis predicted a higher maximum principle stress of the concrete cut-off wall and higher stress levels in the high-plasticity clay region than small-strain FE analysis.
   Originality/value - A practical method for large-deformation FE analysis was advised and was used for the first time to study the interaction between a concrete cut-off wall and high-plasticity clay in dam engineering. Large deformation in the high-plasticity clay was handled using the RITSS method. Moreover, the penetration process of the concrete cut-off wall into the high-plasticity clay was captured using a favourable element shape and mesh density.