A general framework for modeling long-term behavior of earth and concrete dams

Abstract

Many problems are linked with the long-term behavior of both earthdams and concrete dams. They range from hydraulic fracturing to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and to repair work in concrete dams, from seismic behavior to secondary consolidation in earthdams. A common framework for the simulation of such systems is shown, based on the mechanics of multiphase porous media. The general model is particularized to specific situations and several examples are shown.

Keywords

earth dams / concrete dams / multiphase porous materials / coupled problems / hydraulic fracture / concrete hydration / alkali-silica reaction (ASR) / finite element method

References

[1] Lewis R W, Schrefler B A. The Finite Element Method in the Static and Dynamic Deformation and Consolidation of Porous Media. Chichester: Wiley, 1998

[2] Schrefler B A. Mechanics and thermodynamics of saturated-unsaturated porous materials and quantitative solutions. Applied Mechanics Review, 2002, 55(4): 351–388

[3] Zienkiewicz O C, Chan A, Pastor M, Schrefler B A, Shiomi T. Computational Soil Dynamics with Special Reference to Earthquake Engineering. Chichester: Wiley, 1999

[4] Sanavia L, Pesavento F, Schrefler B A. Finite element analysis of non-isothermal multiphase geomaterials with application to strain localisation simulation. Computational Mechanics, 2006, 37(4): 331–348

[5] Zienkiewicz O C, Taylor R L. The Finite Element Method. Vol. 2: The Basis. 5th ed. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000

[6] Simoni L, Secchi S, Schrefler B A. Numerical difficulties and computational procedures for thermo-hydro-mechanical coupled problems of saturated porous media. Computational Mechanics, 2008, 43(1): 179–189

[7] Bishop A W. The principle of effective stress. Teknisk Ukeblad, 1959, 39: 859–863

[8] Skempton A W. Effective stress in soils, concrete and rock. In: Pore Pressure and Suction in Soils. London: Butterworth, 1961, 4–16

[9] Fredlund D G, Morgenstern N R. Stress state variables for unsaturated soils. Journal of the Geotechnical Engineering Division, 1977, 103: 447–466

[10] Schrefler B A, Simoni L, Li X, Zienkiewicz O C. Mechanics of partially saturated porous media. In: Desai C S, Gioda G, eds. Numerical Methods and Constitutive Modelling in Geomechanics. Courses and Lectures CISM. Berlin: Springer, 1990, 311: 169–209

[11] Coussy O. Mechanics of Porous Continua. Chichester: Wiley, 1995

[12] Khalili N, Khabbaz M H, Villiappan S. An effective stress based numerical model for hydro-mechanical analysis in unsaturated porous media. Computational Mechanics, 2000, 26(2): 174–184

[13] Gray W G, Hassanizadeh S M. Unsaturated flow theory including interfacial phenomena. Water Resources Research, 1991, 27(8): 1855–1863

[14] Gray W G, Schrefler B A. Thermodynamic approach to effective stress in partially saturated porous media. European Journal of Mechanics A: Solids, 2001, 20(4): 521–538

[15] Schrefler B A. F. E. in environmental engineering: Coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes in porous media including pollutant transport. Archives of Computational Methods in Engineering, 1995, 2(3): 1–54

[16] Gray W G, Schrefler B A. Analysis of the solid phase stress tensor in multiphase porous media. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, 2007, 31(4): 541–581

[17] Gray W G, Schrefler B A, Pesavento F. The solid phase stress tensor in porous media mechanics and the Hill-Mandel condition. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 2009, 57(3): 539–554

[18] Pesavento F, Gawin D, Schrefler B A. Modeling cementitious materials as multiphase porous media: theoretical framework and applications. Acta Mechanica, 2008, 201(1–4): 313–339

[19] Camacho G T, Ortiz M. Computational modelling of impact damage in brittle materials. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 1996, 33(20–22): 2899–2938

[20] ICOLD. Fifth International Benchmark Workshop on Numerical Analysis of Dams, Theme A2. Denver, 1999

[21] Schrefler B A, Secchi S, Simoni L. On adaptive refinement techniques in multifield problems including cohesive fracture. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, 2006, 195(4–6): 444–461

[22] Briseghella L, Sanavia L, Schrefler B A. Seismic analysis of earth dams using a multiphase model. In: Proceedings of the IXth Italian National Congress “L’Ingegneria Sismica in Italia”, Turin, Italy. 1999

[23] Zhang H W, Sanavia L, Schrefler B A. Numerical analysis of dynamic strain localisation in initially water saturated dense sand with a modified generalised plasticity model. Computers and Structures, 2001, 79(4): 441–459

[24] Gawin D, Sanavia L, Schrefler B A. Cavitation modelling in saturated geomaterials with application to dynamic strain localisation. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, 1998, 27: 109–125

[25] Pastor M, Zienkiewicz O C, Chan A H C. Generalized plasticity and the modelling of soil behaviour. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics, 1990,14: 151–190

[26] Bolzon G, Schrefler B A, Zienkiewicz O C. Elastoplastic soil constitutive laws generalized to partially saturated states. Geotechnique, 1996, 46(2): 279–289

[27] Santagiuliana R, Schrefler B A. Enhancing the Bolzon-Schrefler-Zienkiewicz constitutive model for partially saturate soil. Transport in Porous Media, 2006, 65(1): 1–30

[28] Safai N M, Pinder G F. Vertical and horizontal land deformation in a desaturating porous medium. Advances in Water Resources, 1979, 2: 19–25

[29] Gawin D, Pesavento F, Schrefler B A. Hygro-thermo-chemo-mechanical modelling of concrete at early ages and beyond. Part I: Hydration and hygro-thermal phenomena. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 2006, 67(3): 299–331

[30] Gawin D, Pesavento F, Schrefler B A. Hygro-thermo-chemo-mechanical modelling of concrete at early ages and beyond. Part II: Shrinkage and creep of concrete. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, 2006, 67(3): 332–363

[31] Cervera M, Olivier J, Prato T. A thermo-chemo-mechanical model for concrete. II: damage and creep. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, 1999, 125(9): 1028–1039

[32] Bažant Z P, Prasannan S. Solidification theory for concrete creep. I: formulation. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, 1989, 115(8): 1691–1703

[33] Bažant Z P, Hauggaard A B, Baweja S, Ulm F-J. Microprestress-solidification theory for concrete creep. I: aging and drying effects. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, 1997, 123(11): 1188–1194

[34] Lura P, Jensen O M, van Breugel K. Autogenous shrinkage in high-performance cement paste: an evaluation of basic mechanisms. Modelling of autogenous relative humidity change and autogenous deformation. Cement and Concrete Research, 2003, 33(2): 223–232

[35] Gawin D, Pesavento F, Schrefler B A. Modelling creep and shrinkage of concrete by means of effective stress. Materials and Structures, 2007, 40(6): 579–591

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the University of Padua, Italy (No. STPD08JA32_004) for the financial support.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2014 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg