hydro-mechanical interaction effects on concrete dam stability

This work presents the study of the interaction between seepage phenomenon and mechanical stability of jointed rock mass in concrete dam foundation. The main goal of this research is the evaluation of design parameters like uplift forces, rock stress state etc, by considering the hydromechanical coupling in jointed rock mass in concrete dam foundation. The mechanical behavior of intact rock is assumed to be elastic but rock joints because of special nature have a nonlinear behavior. The material constitutive law modeled by Barton-Bandis criterion. The governing hydraulic equation is according to the Darcy's law based on laminar flow assumption through rock joints effective aperture. The algorithm is encoded on the platform of the finite element program FEAPpv. The hydromechanical interaction effects are evaluated for several cases of mathematical models. It is shown that contrary to the current practice, the inclusion of the hydromechanical interaction might be quite essential.

Keywords:

Hydromechanical coupling , Finite elements , Jointed rock mass