LOAD TRANSFER AND HYDRAULIC FRACTURING IN ZONED DAMS

Incremental, nonlinear finite element analyses were conducted for 14 representative zoned dams of differing geometries and material properties to assess the load transfer and potential for cracking by hydraulic fracturing and local overstress. The results of these analyses showed that signaificant load transfer was observed in all cases; the load transfer was from the core onto the transitions and shells over most of the height, but was onto the core near the crest. This may be a possible mechanism for longitudinal core cracking in the crest. All other factors being equal, the dams which would exhibit the least transverse cracking potential would have flatter side slopes, thicker cores, sloping cores, medium dense shells and cores compacted drier than optimum. The effect of variations in the transitions properties and thicknesses, dam height and core slope in sloping core dams was found to be small with regard to cracking potential. /Author/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3519342
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Kulhawy, F H
  • Gurtowski, T M
• Publication Date: 1976-9

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 963-974
• Serial:
  • Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Volume: 102
  • Issue Number: GT9
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1090-0241
  • Serial URL: http://ojps.aip.org/gto

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Core samples; Dams; Finite element method; Fracture mechanics; Hydraulic fracturing; Load transfer; Slopes
• Old TRIS Terms: Cores; Finite elements
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00142223
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE #12400
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 23 1976 12:00AM