a study on behavioral characteristics of core-based dam subjected to variable water level fluctuation rates

This study scrutinizes the dam behavior during different rates of water level fluctuations via centrifuge model tests and verifies the results by numerical analyses. lvdts and pore water pressure gauges were installed to scrutinize the settlement and pore water pressure behavior during different rates of water level fluctuation. the centrifuge model test results suggest that the increased rate of water level fluctuation increases the risk of dam failure as drastic variations in pore water pressure and differential settlement were observed. the differential settlement in the upstream and downstream sides of the dam due to water level fluctuation increases the risk of cracking in the dam crest. also, the dam stability was evaluated by comparing and analyzing the pore pressure and deformation distribution values obtained from the centrifuge model tests with numerical analysis results. soil-void fluid coupled analyses were performed in the steady and unsteady seepage flow conditions. the analysis results manifest that the increased rate of fluctuation in water level becomes a factor for a rapid increase in the displacement and pore pressure of the dam body, resulting in a reduction in the dam stability. thus, real-time monitoring of the displacement and pore water pressure during rapid fluctuations in water level, such as heavy rain, is required to ensure dam stability. © 2021, iran university of science and technology.