Abstract:

A three-dimensional finite element method was adopted to investigate the behavior of a concrete faced rockfill dam (CFRD) including the thin vertical joints of face slab on the basis of substructure concept. Using this method, we analyzed the stress-deformation behavior of the Bakun CFRD in Malaysia by different filling materials and widths of vertical joints of face slab. The analysis results show that the filling materials and size of the vertical joints have insignificant effect on the deflection, slope-direction stress, horizontal tension stress and peripheral joints’ deformation of the face slab; but they have a significant effect on the horizontal compression stress of face slab and the compression deformation of vertical joints. By decreasing the modulus of filling material or increasing the width of the vertical joints, the horizontal compression stress can be decreased while the compression deformation of vertical joints can be increased. The horizontal compression stress can be decreased by a half if using softwoods instead oft hardwoods. Such an influence may be significant for the same stage face slab, especially for the neighboring one.

Key words: concrete faced rockfill dam, finite element method, sub-structure method, vertical joints, interface