Abstract: For the Yellow River dikes which are reinforced by desilting, the longitudinal cracks appeared in the standardized dikes in Henan and Shandong provinces in Lower Yellow River; it would effect quality and schedule of project badly. Through in-situ search, indoor experiments and theoretical studies such as saturated-unsaturated seepage-stress coupling, soak deformation, the cracking causes are analyzed; and relevant methods of prevention and curing are carried out. The results show that the construction in high speed is the basic cause of cracks of dikes; and soak deformation of dike, bad drainage of desilting section, stacking load at the tip of dike, impact of vehicle lead to form and develop of cracks. Therefore, the cracks of dikes can be prevented by controlling construction speed of desilting, draining quickly at desilting section, avoiding to stacking load at the tip of dike and so on. Moreover, cracks can be settled with core grouting, cutting and backfilling and so on.

Key words: dike of Yellow River, longitudinal cracking, reinforced dike by desilting, seepage-stress coupling, methods of prevention and curing