Experimental study of the mechanical properties of the downstream wedge of a low-pressure dam under conditions of rising flood water levels

Abstract

The article presents experimental studies of the mechanical properties of the downstream wedge of a low-pressure dam under conditions of a rapid increase in the level of flood waters, since ensuring the stability of the slope of bulk hydraulic structures during increasing natural and man-made disasters, taking into account changes in climatic and seismic conditions, is a paramount task for specialists in design and operating organizations of the water management complex. Currently, despite the increased interest in landslide factors, there is still insufficient information on how the size of drainage devices located in the downstream wedge of a low-pressure dam can affect the stability of its slope in the event of a rapid drawdown of the flood water level. In order to analyze the influence of the size of the drainage devices of a low-pressure dam on the stability of its slope with a possible drawdown of the level, numerical studies were carried out in a flat setting. The performed mathematical modeling made it possible to assess the stability of the dam slope due to the rapid drawdown of the flood water level and to determine the effect of the drainage size of the low-pressure dam. An analysis of the simulation results showed that in the scenario of a rapid drawdown of the water level in the river after passing the flood peak, the stability of the slope of the low-pressure dam facing the river decreases. The pore pressure in the upstream of the embankment decreases with the increase in the size of the drainage of the downstream wedge, while it increases in the downstream. With an increase in the size of the drainage, the values of the slope stability coefficient increase. The factors identified in the process of mathematical modeling that affect the stability of the dam depending on the length of the drainage in the downstream wedge area of the low-pressure dam can be used for predictive purposes to assess their reliability.