skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: CRFLOOD: A numerical model to estimate uplift pressure distribution in cracks in concrete gravity dams

Abstract

Knowledge of the magnitude and distribution of uplift pressures in cracks in concrete gravity dams is needed when assessing their stability and safety and in the design of rehabilitation schemes. In the conventional limit equilibrium approach for dam stability, the head distribution in all cracks is assumed to be uniform irrespective of the existence of drains and their operative conditions. This approach is conservative when the drains are in proper operating condition and are releasing some of the uplift pressure. Analytical studies on the effect of drains in reducing uplift in cracks have been reported in the literature. However, analytical solutions are limited to cracks of simple geometry and cannot be used to determine uplift under more realistic field conditions i.e., in cracks with variable aperture, surface roughness, irregular geometries and turbulent and transient crack flow conditions. These limitations can be overcome using numerical methods. The finite element method is used in this report as a tool to model uplift in cracks and quantify drain effectiveness. A general finite element program called CRFLOOD is proposed. On the outset, this report provides a brief review on how water flows in cracks and what are the governing equations for crack flow undermore » steady and transient conditions. Then, finite element formulations for the different types of crack flow are presented. The finite element model is validated in three ways (1) by using closed-form solutions, (2) by using another but more limited finite element program, and (3) by comparison with experimental results. Finally, program CRFLOOD is used to conduct an extensive parametric study on the effect of several parameters on uplift and drain effectiveness.« less

Authors:
; ;  [1]
  1. Colorado Univ., Boulder, CO (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Colorado Univ., Boulder, CO (United States). Dept. of Civil Engineering
Sponsoring Org.:
EPRI; Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
7146976
Report Number(s):
EPRI-TR-101671-Vol.4
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
13 HYDRO ENERGY; DAMS; CRACKS; DRAINAGE; STABILITY; FINITE ELEMENT METHOD; HYDROELECTRIC POWER; PRESSURE EFFECTS; SAFETY ENGINEERING; VALIDATION; CALCULATION METHODS; ELECTRIC POWER; ENERGY SOURCES; ENGINEERING; NUMERICAL SOLUTION; POWER; RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES; TESTING; 130200* - Hydro Energy- Site Geology & Meteorology

Citation Formats

Illangasekare, T, Amadei, B, and Chinnaswamy, C. CRFLOOD: A numerical model to estimate uplift pressure distribution in cracks in concrete gravity dams. United States: N. p., 1992. Web.
Illangasekare, T, Amadei, B, & Chinnaswamy, C. CRFLOOD: A numerical model to estimate uplift pressure distribution in cracks in concrete gravity dams. United States.
Illangasekare, T, Amadei, B, and Chinnaswamy, C. 1992. "CRFLOOD: A numerical model to estimate uplift pressure distribution in cracks in concrete gravity dams". United States.
@article{osti_7146976,
title = {CRFLOOD: A numerical model to estimate uplift pressure distribution in cracks in concrete gravity dams},
author = {Illangasekare, T and Amadei, B and Chinnaswamy, C},
abstractNote = {Knowledge of the magnitude and distribution of uplift pressures in cracks in concrete gravity dams is needed when assessing their stability and safety and in the design of rehabilitation schemes. In the conventional limit equilibrium approach for dam stability, the head distribution in all cracks is assumed to be uniform irrespective of the existence of drains and their operative conditions. This approach is conservative when the drains are in proper operating condition and are releasing some of the uplift pressure. Analytical studies on the effect of drains in reducing uplift in cracks have been reported in the literature. However, analytical solutions are limited to cracks of simple geometry and cannot be used to determine uplift under more realistic field conditions i.e., in cracks with variable aperture, surface roughness, irregular geometries and turbulent and transient crack flow conditions. These limitations can be overcome using numerical methods. The finite element method is used in this report as a tool to model uplift in cracks and quantify drain effectiveness. A general finite element program called CRFLOOD is proposed. On the outset, this report provides a brief review on how water flows in cracks and what are the governing equations for crack flow under steady and transient conditions. Then, finite element formulations for the different types of crack flow are presented. The finite element model is validated in three ways (1) by using closed-form solutions, (2) by using another but more limited finite element program, and (3) by comparison with experimental results. Finally, program CRFLOOD is used to conduct an extensive parametric study on the effect of several parameters on uplift and drain effectiveness.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/7146976}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1992},
month = {Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1992}
}

Technical Report:
Other availability
Please see Document Availability for additional information on obtaining the full-text document. Library patrons may search WorldCat to identify libraries that may hold this item. Keep in mind that many technical reports are not cataloged in WorldCat.

Save / Share: