Deformation decoupling and parameter inversion for high core wall dams considering mechanical causes

doi:10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.12.016

Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science)

2025, Vol. 59

Issue (12): 2616-2626 DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.12.016

Deformation decoupling and parameter inversion for high core wall dams considering mechanical causes

Xiongxiong ZHOU1,2,3(

),Qiujiang HE1,2,Jichun HE1,2,Jing ZHOU1,2

1. Key Laboratory of Agricultural Soil and Water Engineering in Arid and Semiarid Areas of Ministry of Education, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China
2. College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A & F University, Xianyang 712100, China
3. Shaanxi Province Institute of Water Resources and Electric Power Investigation and Design, Xi’an 710000, China

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Abstract

A deformation decoupling and parameter inversion method considering mechanical causes was proposed, to address the difficulties and limited accuracy associated with direct parameter inversion in stress-deformation analysis and safety evaluation of earth-rockfill dams. Settlement monitoring data at the monitoring points on the dam crest were analyzed using a statistical model, whereby the settlement deformation was decoupled into water-level-dependent and time-dependent components, thus enhancing the accuracy of deformation component characterization. An optimization framework combining BP neural networks and genetic algorithms was then established for different components to separately invert the parameters of the wetting and creep models, thereby obtaining key parameters that reflect the actual mechanical behavior of the dam and improving the accuracy of parameter inversion through differentiated analysis. Based on the inverted parameters, finite element analysis was performed to analyze deformation characteristics and crack development of the dam. Results demonstrated that settlement values calculated with the inverted parameters showed close agreement with field monitoring data across the entire crest, with deviations controlled within a reasonable range, verifying the reliability and accuracy of the proposed method. Moreover, the crack patterns derived from the inverted parameters exhibited high consistency with observed conditions. The findings provide a new technical approach for mechanical parameter inversion of earth-rockfill dams.

Key words： high core wall rockfill dam monitoring data decoupling wetting deformation creep parameter inversion

Received: 06 December 2024 Published: 25 November 2025

CLC:

TP 393

Fund: 国家自然科学基金资助项目（52209168）；陕西省博士后科研资助项目（2023BSHGZZHQYXMZZ14）；中央高校基本科研业务费（2452020207）.

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Cite this article:

Xiongxiong ZHOU,Qiujiang HE,Jichun HE,Jing ZHOU. Deformation decoupling and parameter inversion for high core wall dams considering mechanical causes. Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science), 2025, 59(12): 2616-2626.

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https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2025.12.016 OR https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/Y2025/V59/I12/2616

考虑力学成因的高心墙坝变形解耦及参数反演

为了解决土石坝应力变形分析和安全评价中直接参数反演难度大且准确性不足的问题，提出考虑力学成因的变形解耦及参数反演方法. 基于统计模型进行坝顶测点监测沉降分析，将沉降变形解耦为水位与时效分量，从而提高变形组分刻画精度；针对不同分量，构建BP神经网络与遗传算法相结合的优化框架，对湿化与流变模型参数分别开展反演，获取能够反映坝体实际力学行为的关键参数，通过差异化反演提高反演参数精度；基于反演所得模型参数进行有限元计算，从而开展大坝变形特性和裂缝分析. 研究表明，利用上述方法反演参数而后计算得到的沉降变形计算值与实际监测值在坝顶整个范围内均较吻合，偏差控制在合理范围，方法可靠性与精度得到验证. 分析得到的坝顶裂缝开裂情况与实际情况较吻合. 研究成果为土石坝力学参数反演提供了新的思路和方法.

关键词： 高心墙堆石坝, 监测数据解耦, 湿化变形, 流变, 参数反演

Fig.1 Typical cross section of dam

Fig.2 Measuring point layout on dam crest and downstream dam slope

Fig.3 Settlement curve of each measuring point on upstream and downstream side of dam crest

Fig.4 Settlement curve of each measuring point on axis of dam crest

Tab.1 Summary of settlement statistical model results of measuring points on dam crest

Fig.5 Settlement statistical model of TP3 and TP4

Fig.6 Settlement statistical model of LD58 and LD59

Fig.7 Settlement statistical model of TP12 and TP13

Fig.8 Three-dimensional finite element model of Pubugou high core rockfill dam

Fig.9 Dam construction and reservoir filling process

Tab.2 Main E-B model parameters of Pubugou dam

Fig.10 Flowchart of GA-BP parameter inversion

Tab.3 Inversion results of wetting model parameters

Fig.11 Comparison chart of calculated and actual values of wetting deformation

Tab.4 Inversion results of creep model parameters

Fig.12 Comparison chart of calculated and actual values for creep deformation

Fig.13 Settlement distribution map for dam section 0+240

Fig.14 Horizontal displacement distribution map for dam section 0+240

Fig.15 Distribution map of major principal stress for dam section 0+240

Fig.16 Distribution map of minor principal stress for dam section 0+240

Fig.17 Surface deformation gradient contour map of dam at time of first crack appearance

Fig.18 Surface deformation gradient contour map of dam on November 23, 2022


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