Static and Dynamic Response Analysis of a High Rock-Fill Dam with a Clay Core

Stress strain analysis based on Biot’s consolidation theory is performed for Nuozhadu dam, which is a high rock-fill clay-core dam located in the Langcangjiang River in Yunnan province, China. Attention is mainly focused on arching effect and possibility of hydraulic fracturing of the core. Equivalent linear approach is employed to evaluate the seismic response of the dam under design earthquakes, and two empirical formulas relating residual shear and volumetric strain to cyclic stress and strain history are proposed to evaluate the permanent deformation. It is found that: 1) the modulus ratio of the clay in the core to rockfills around is the main factor controlling the severity of arching effect, 2) hydraulic fracture would not occur according to the criterion of effective stress, and 3) the permanent deformation that is likely to occur is acceptable under the condition of design earthquakes