Tensile Stress Responses of CFRD Face Slabs during Earthquake Excitation and Mitigation Measures

Abstract

On the basis of a clear understanding of dynamic stress distributions in face slabs of concrete-faced rockfill dams (CFRDs), the cracking failure of a face slab can be avoided using antiseismic design measures. In this study, the distribution of tensile overstresses in face slabs during earthquakes was analyzed while the effects of dam geometries and variable nature of input motions were taken into account. The area of face slab vulnerable to cracking was identified. Furthermore, the installation of a horizontal joint is suggested to mitigate the tensile stress in face slabs when subjected to earthquakes. Three-dimensional (3D) dynamic analyses of CFRDs with various geometries were conducted, and the dynamic slope-direction tensile stresses in face slabs with joints at various positions were compared. The results indicate that peak dynamic slope-direction tensile stress can be significantly decreased by installing the joint where the maximum tensile stress occurs.