Hydraulic Fracturing in Earth-rock Fill Dams

Presents a systematic and comprehensive study of hydraulic fracturing, original in its concentration of core soil problems There have been a number of well-studied cases in which dams have failed or been damaged by concentrated leaks for no apparent cause. In some of these experiences, investigators concluded that differential settlement cracks were the probable causes, even though no cracks were seen on the surface. In these examples, it was not determined whether the crack was open before the reservoir filled or whether it might have opened afterward. In several unsolved problems on the safety of the earth-rock fill dam, the problem of hydraulic fracture in the soil core of the earth-rock fill dam is one that is widely paid attention by designers and researchers. Hydraulic fracturing is generally considered as a key cause which may induce the leakage of the dam during first filling. In this extensive book, a new numerical simulate method is suggested. The method is based on the conventional two-dimensional finite element technique, and the theoretical formulations to calculate energy release rate using virtual crack extension method. The influence factors on convergence of calculated J integral are investigated. The accuracy of the calculated J integral is verified by analysing the three typical problems in Fracture Mechanics, in which propagation of crack may follow mode I, mode II and mixed mode I-II respectively. Using the new numerical method, the factors affecting the occurrence of hydraulic fracturing in the earth-rock fill dam are investigated. The investigating results indicate that increasing any of the Young s modulus, the Poisson s ratio and the density of the core soil is helpful to reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of hydraulic fracturing. The likelihood of the occurrence of hydraulic fracturing increases with increasing the water level or the crack depth. The lower part of the dam core is the zone in which the phenomenon of hydraulic fracturing may be induced easily. As an example to analyse the ability of earth-rock fill dam to resist hydraulic fracturing, the Nuozhadu Dam located in Western China is analysed. Presents a systematic and comprehensive study of hydraulic fracturing, original in its concentration of core soil problems Focuses on the problem of hydraulic fracturing in earth-rock fill dams from three aspects; conditions and mechanisms of hydraulic fracturing, criterion of hydraulic fracturing, and numerical method on hydraulic fracturing Examines advanced laboratory soil testing, application of numerical methods and field testing/monitoring, all needed for a better understanding of hydraulic fracturing in earth/rock fill dams Provides an essential reference in an area of scarce research in this field, and the need in high earth dam construction in developing countries is pressing Ideal for researchers in Hydraulic and Geotechnical Engineering Fields; Students on Masters or PhD courses; as well as Designers and Constructors in Hydraulic and Geotechnical Engineering Fields.

Presents a systematic and comprehensive study of hydraulicfracturing, original in its concentration of core soilproblemsThere have been a number of well-studied cases in which damshave failed or been damaged by concentrated leaks for no apparentcause. In some of these experiences, investigators concluded thatdifferential settlement cracks were the probable causes, eventhough no cracks were seen on the surface. In these examples, itwas not determined whether the crack was open before the reservoirfilled or whether it might have opened afterward. In severalunsolved problems on the safety of the earth-rock fill dam, theproblem of hydraulic fracture in the soil core of the earth-rockfill dam is one that is widely paid attention by designers andresearchers. Hydraulic fracturing is generally considered as a keycause which may induce the leakage of the dam during firstfilling.In this extensive book, a new numerical simulate method issuggested. The method is based on the conventional two-dimensionalfinite element technique, and the theoretical formulations tocalculate energy release rate using virtual crack extension method.The influence factors on convergence of calculated J integral areinvestigated. The accuracy of the calculated J integral is verifiedby analysing the three typical problems in Fracture Mechanics, inwhich propagation of crack may follow mode I, mode II and mixedmode I-II respectively. Using the new numerical method, the factorsaffecting the occurrence of hydraulic fracturing in the earth-rockfill dam are investigated. The investigating results indicate thatincreasing any of the Young's modulus, the Poisson'sratio and the density of the core soil is helpful to reduce thelikelihood of the occurrence of hydraulic fracturing. Thelikelihood of the occurrence of hydraulic fracturing increases withincreasing the water level or the crack depth. The lower part ofthe dam core is the zone in which the phenomenon of hydraulicfracturing may be induced easily. As an example to analyse theability of earth-rock fill dam to resist hydraulic fracturing, theNuozhadu Dam located in Western China is analysed.* Presents a systematic and comprehensive study of hydraulicfracturing, original in its concentration of core soilproblems* Focuses on the problem of hydraulic fracturing in earth-rockfill dams from three aspects; conditions and mechanisms ofhydraulic fracturing, criterion of hydraulic fracturing, andnumerical method on hydraulic fracturing* Examines advanced laboratory soil testing, application ofnumerical methods and field testing/monitoring, all needed for abetter understanding of hydraulic fracturing in earth/rock filldams* Provides an essential reference in an area of scarce researchin this field, and the need in high earth dam construction indeveloping countries is pressingIdeal for researchers in Hydraulic and Geotechnical EngineeringFields; Students on Masters or PhD courses; as well as Designersand Constructors in Hydraulic and Geotechnical EngineeringFields.