Abstract

The article summarizes the research studies performed by the Research Group on Dam Safety (SERPA) of the Technical University of Madrid and the International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE) in collaboration with the company PREHORQUISA. Such studies aim to deepen on the theoretical and practical understanding of wedge shaped blocks (WSB) technology. This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the research projects called ACUÑA (IPT-2011-0997-020000) and DIABLO (RTC-2014-2081-5). One of the projects goals was to develop a new model of WSB looking for improving the performance of the existing ones. This research led to the new model of WSB called ACUÑA, proprietary in Spain since May 2017 (ES2595852). The paper presents a comparison between the behaviour of the new block with one of the existing models, specifically ArmorwedgeTM. Such comparison has been made using physical and numerical modelling, studying the hydrodynamic pressures on the block and the leakage flow through the joints between blocks and the aeration vents

Abstract

Wedge shaped blocks spillways are an innovative solution that allows spilling over the downstream shoulder of earth and rock-fill dams in a safe way. However, they have been barely used as main spillway due to the lack of practical design criteria. An innovative procedure for computer-aided design of wedge shaped blocks spillways is presented in this paper. It includes the design of the drainage and supporting layer considering its seepage capacity and stability. The leakage flow through the joints between blocks is estimated by means of a numerical model calibrated and validated from experimental results. Stability against sliding of the downstream shoulder or the drainage layer is ensured, considering the properties of the granular material selected by the designer and non-linear resistance laws. The procedure will also suggest the shape of a toe protection.

Abstract

Double curvature arch dams feature geometrical complexity with a significant amount of parameters involved. Different criteria exist to assist in the design task, from simplified geometrical approaches to optimization procedures. However, most of them present a lack of flexibility and are not integrated in computer-aided design tools. In this contribution, an interactive and flexible software tool is presented to support the complete design process: geometrical definition, FEM model generation (including the mesh, the loads and the boundary conditions) and thermo-mechanical analysis. The design can be performed with different levels of detail to adapt to the information available in each stage of the project. The tool allows defining the shape of the reference cylinder, the excavation depth and slope along the foundation, the crown cantilever thickness and curvature, the shape and location of horizontal arcs; all these steps were described in former contributions. Here, special attention is paid to the introduction of additional features such as joints, spillways, abutments of varying shape and outlet works. All steps have been defined with a high degree of flexibility in the design process. The tool is integrated with the pre and post process software GiD, which allows taking advantage of its functionalities, such as mesh generation and results analysis. It is also coupled with a specific application for thermo-mechanical analysis of dams, developed in Kratos Multiphysics – a framework for building parallel multi-disciplinary simulation software. The whole design process can be followed in a unique environment, because the structural response of preliminary designs can be computed and the results considered to refine the dam geometry.