The dam slope stability under the transient condition during an extreme flood

Abstract

Mountain Flood Control Reservoir (MFC Reservoir) is used to reduce the flood level in the mountainous area and protect settlements downstream. The special feature of this MFC Reservoir is the fast filling during 1-2 days, short storage time at the maximum level and speed falling of the water level. Simulation of the MFC Reservoir operation was carried out on the software Midas GTS NX. Two rockfill dam models were developed: with the core and with the screen. The fluctuation of the water level in the MFC Reservoir was taken as the transformed flood from 1% to 10% probability. The fast water level change in the MCF Reservoir creates the transient seepage condition during the flood. During the water level rising in the MFC Reservoir, the upstream slope stability gradually increases because of hydrostatic pressure. After the water level begins to fall with rate of 0.7 m/hour, the slope stability decreases. The core or screen location significantly affects the stability of the upstream dam slope. The simulation showed that the upstream slope of the dam with the core was more stable. Due to the high hydraulic conductivity, the upstream dam prism with the berm significantly dampens the pore pressure in the dam and increases the stability of the upstream slope.