Seepage Control in a High Concrete Face-Rock Fill Dam Based on the Node Virtual Flow Method

Abstract: The seepage control system of a high Concrete Face Rock-Fill Dam (CFRD) may have anti-seepage deficiencies during both construction and operation. In order to solve these, the three-dimensional Finite Element Method (FEM) model was built based on dam body filling, anti-seepage system, defect location and bedrock distribution. The seepage field simulation and computation were carried out using an improved node virtual flux method and the zero-thickness crack model theory. The water head distribution, seepage lines and dam leakage field were obtained by simulation under different conditions, and the seepage characteristics during construction and operation were analyzed systematically. Taking a high CFRD as an example, the results showed that during the flood-control construction period, the incomplete nature of the dam face slab can lead to seepage damage near the second seepage control line. Moreover, during operation period; the seepage control system was still effective when the dam face slab was incomplete.