A Comprehensive Review of Safety Monitoring Technologies for Concrete Face Rockfill Dams Addressing the Challenges of "Three Highs, One Deep, and One Narrow"
Significance The construction of concrete face rockfill dams (CFRDs) in China is marked by significant development opportunities as well as substantial technical challenges. The complex topographic and geological conditions, harsh natural environments at dam sites, and the leap from 200 m to 300 m...
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Editorial Department of Journal of Sichuan University (Engineering Science Edition)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | 工程科学与技术 |
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| Online Access: | http://jsuese.scu.edu.cn/thesisDetails#10.12454/j.jsuese.202500089 |
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| author | XIAO Sheng YANG Jie LU Xi ZHOU Heng CHENG Lin MA Chunhui TONG Fei |
| author_facet | XIAO Sheng YANG Jie LU Xi ZHOU Heng CHENG Lin MA Chunhui TONG Fei |
| author_sort | XIAO Sheng |
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| description | Significance The construction of concrete face rockfill dams (CFRDs) in China is marked by significant development opportunities as well as substantial technical challenges. The complex topographic and geological conditions, harsh natural environments at dam sites, and the leap from 200 m to 300 m in dam height impose higher demands on the advancement of safety monitoring technologies for CFRDs. Typical special engineering issues include high dam height, alpine regions, high seismic intensity, deep overburden foundations, and narrow valleys. These highly challenging engineering projects inevitably lead to problems such as large deformations, damage to the face slab and joint waterstops, and subsequent dam leakage, which threaten the operational safety of the dams. Therefore, in addition to meticulous design, standardized construction, and comprehensive management, systematic safety monitoring of CFRDs is required based on their physical and mechanical characteristics to fully address the safety monitoring needs under these special engineering conditions. This review is expected to provide systematic theoretical support and practical guidance for the development of safety monitoring technologies for CFRDs, ensuring the long-term operational safety of these dams under the "three highs, one deep, and one narrow" special engineering challenges. Progress This paper focuses on special engineering challenges such as high dam height, alpine region, high seismic intensity, deep overburden, and narrow valleys. It systematically reviews the structural issues of CFRDs under the "three highs, one deep, and one narrow" conditions, emphasizing that the core of CFRD technology lies in deformation control and comprehensive deformation coordination. Research indicates that increased dam height exacerbates CFRD deformation, leading to panel cracking and weakening the dam's anti-seepage system. CFRDs in high seismic intensity zones exhibit significant permanent deformation, prone to local cracks and internal damage. CFRDs constructed in extreme low-temperature conditions have poor durability and higher risks of waterstop structure failure. CFRDs on deep overburden layers are susceptible to uneven settlement, long-term deformation, and panel cracking. CFRDs in narrow valleys experience large deformation gradients, causing damage to waterstop structures and panels. The paper also reviews the development of safety monitoring technologies for CFRDs, summarizing key monitoring techniques under special engineering conditions. It identifies critical monitoring areas, main monitoring items, and common monitoring methods, highlighting that deformation and seepage remain the primary monitoring focuses for CFRDs under "three highs, one deep, and one narrow" conditions. Specifically, high dams require attention to deformation and seepage safety; CFRDs in high seismic intensity zones need enhanced strong-motion monitoring; CFRDs in alpine regions should focus on ice pressure, dam body, and panel deformation; CFRDs on deep overburden layers should monitor foundation settlement, cutoff wall deformation, and anti-seepage effectiveness; CFRDs in narrow valleys should emphasize surface and internal deformation, panel deformation, and rockfill stress. The paper introduces self-developed monitoring equipment, such as a dual-prism device based on GNSS monitoring, to align monitoring technology with CFRD construction standards under special conditions. Based on dam safety monitoring work, it summarizes improvements in construction methods and control indicators, analyzing engineering measures to enhance CFRD serviceability under "three highs, one deep, and one narrow" conditions. The control methods for comprehensive deformation coordination in CFRDs are explored. Specifically, for high CFRDs, attention is paid to the overall three-dimensional spatial deformation coordination, the independent multi-layer sealing and self-healing capabilities of the waterstop structures, the repairability of the dam body, the addition of permanent horizontal joints to enhance deformation adaptability, and the strict control of hard rock dam construction and particle gradation to improve dam strength. For CFRDs in high seismic intensity zones, comprehensive seismic measures are recommended, such as reasonable dam crest elevation, optimized drainage systems, reinforced foundations, expanded cushion zones, high-quality construction materials, gentler slopes or reinforced structures, adaptive waterstop materials, increased panel thickness and reinforcement, and enhanced strong-motion monitoring. In alpine regions, thin-layer heavy vibratory compaction, improved panel frost resistance, enhanced thermal exchange, increased reinforcement, and better cushion zone drainage are suggested. For CFRDs on deep overburden layers, full-depth cutoff walls, connecting slabs for improved plinth conditions, and stress-deformation analysis of cutoff walls are essential. In narrow valleys, medium-hard rockfill materials, reasonable pre-settlement periods, flexible fill materials, special compaction zones, high toe walls, or internal plinth designs are recommended to improve stress-deformation states and ensure stability. The core of CFRD technology lies in ensuring deformation coordination between the dam body and panels, achieved through numerical analysis, optimized dam zoning, higher downstream rockfill compaction standards, and balanced full-section filling to prevent panel separation and cracking, enhancing overall dam stability. Conclusions and Prospects Research indicates that as dam height increases, combined with complex topographic and geological conditions and harsh natural environments at dam sites, the physical and mechanical properties of CFRDs become increasingly complex. In-depth study of the structural characteristics of CFRDs under the "three highs, one deep, and one narrow" conditions is crucial not only for advancing dam construction and design feedback but also for guiding dam safety monitoring. In this context, monitoring projects and methods for CFRDs under high dam height, high seismic intensity, alpine region, deep overburden, and narrow valleys should focus on key indicators such as dam deformation, strong-motion monitoring, ice pressure, foundation settlement, and panel deformation. To address the inherent limitations of conventional monitoring technologies, the development of new precision monitoring instruments with large ranges and high water pressure resistance is required. These instruments are essential for comprehensively detecting abnormal information under extreme climate and harsh environmental conditions, meeting the safety monitoring needs of CFRDs under special engineering challenges. In the future, the predictive technology for the safety performance of CFRDs needs significant improvement. Large-scale and high-stress experiments on dam construction materials should be prioritized to establish constitutive models that comprehensively consider multiple factors. Additionally, attention should be given to other special engineering challenges such as high altitude, steep slopes, and karst landforms, which impact dam design and monitoring technologies. Furthermore, the integration of new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) is essential to promote the development of intelligent and precise safety monitoring systems, enabling real-time monitoring and early warning of dam operational conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6fefc8aa5d5b48abb19292ba7980a9ce |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2096-3246 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Editorial Department of Journal of Sichuan University (Engineering Science Edition) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | 工程科学与技术 |
| spelling | doaj-art-6fefc8aa5d5b48abb19292ba7980a9ce2025-08-20T02:15:59ZengEditorial Department of Journal of Sichuan University (Engineering Science Edition)工程科学与技术2096-32462025-01-0111689300963A Comprehensive Review of Safety Monitoring Technologies for Concrete Face Rockfill Dams Addressing the Challenges of "Three Highs, One Deep, and One Narrow"XIAO ShengYANG JieLU XiZHOU HengCHENG LinMA ChunhuiTONG FeiSignificance The construction of concrete face rockfill dams (CFRDs) in China is marked by significant development opportunities as well as substantial technical challenges. The complex topographic and geological conditions, harsh natural environments at dam sites, and the leap from 200 m to 300 m in dam height impose higher demands on the advancement of safety monitoring technologies for CFRDs. Typical special engineering issues include high dam height, alpine regions, high seismic intensity, deep overburden foundations, and narrow valleys. These highly challenging engineering projects inevitably lead to problems such as large deformations, damage to the face slab and joint waterstops, and subsequent dam leakage, which threaten the operational safety of the dams. Therefore, in addition to meticulous design, standardized construction, and comprehensive management, systematic safety monitoring of CFRDs is required based on their physical and mechanical characteristics to fully address the safety monitoring needs under these special engineering conditions. This review is expected to provide systematic theoretical support and practical guidance for the development of safety monitoring technologies for CFRDs, ensuring the long-term operational safety of these dams under the "three highs, one deep, and one narrow" special engineering challenges. Progress This paper focuses on special engineering challenges such as high dam height, alpine region, high seismic intensity, deep overburden, and narrow valleys. It systematically reviews the structural issues of CFRDs under the "three highs, one deep, and one narrow" conditions, emphasizing that the core of CFRD technology lies in deformation control and comprehensive deformation coordination. Research indicates that increased dam height exacerbates CFRD deformation, leading to panel cracking and weakening the dam's anti-seepage system. CFRDs in high seismic intensity zones exhibit significant permanent deformation, prone to local cracks and internal damage. CFRDs constructed in extreme low-temperature conditions have poor durability and higher risks of waterstop structure failure. CFRDs on deep overburden layers are susceptible to uneven settlement, long-term deformation, and panel cracking. CFRDs in narrow valleys experience large deformation gradients, causing damage to waterstop structures and panels. The paper also reviews the development of safety monitoring technologies for CFRDs, summarizing key monitoring techniques under special engineering conditions. It identifies critical monitoring areas, main monitoring items, and common monitoring methods, highlighting that deformation and seepage remain the primary monitoring focuses for CFRDs under "three highs, one deep, and one narrow" conditions. Specifically, high dams require attention to deformation and seepage safety; CFRDs in high seismic intensity zones need enhanced strong-motion monitoring; CFRDs in alpine regions should focus on ice pressure, dam body, and panel deformation; CFRDs on deep overburden layers should monitor foundation settlement, cutoff wall deformation, and anti-seepage effectiveness; CFRDs in narrow valleys should emphasize surface and internal deformation, panel deformation, and rockfill stress. The paper introduces self-developed monitoring equipment, such as a dual-prism device based on GNSS monitoring, to align monitoring technology with CFRD construction standards under special conditions. Based on dam safety monitoring work, it summarizes improvements in construction methods and control indicators, analyzing engineering measures to enhance CFRD serviceability under "three highs, one deep, and one narrow" conditions. The control methods for comprehensive deformation coordination in CFRDs are explored. Specifically, for high CFRDs, attention is paid to the overall three-dimensional spatial deformation coordination, the independent multi-layer sealing and self-healing capabilities of the waterstop structures, the repairability of the dam body, the addition of permanent horizontal joints to enhance deformation adaptability, and the strict control of hard rock dam construction and particle gradation to improve dam strength. For CFRDs in high seismic intensity zones, comprehensive seismic measures are recommended, such as reasonable dam crest elevation, optimized drainage systems, reinforced foundations, expanded cushion zones, high-quality construction materials, gentler slopes or reinforced structures, adaptive waterstop materials, increased panel thickness and reinforcement, and enhanced strong-motion monitoring. In alpine regions, thin-layer heavy vibratory compaction, improved panel frost resistance, enhanced thermal exchange, increased reinforcement, and better cushion zone drainage are suggested. For CFRDs on deep overburden layers, full-depth cutoff walls, connecting slabs for improved plinth conditions, and stress-deformation analysis of cutoff walls are essential. In narrow valleys, medium-hard rockfill materials, reasonable pre-settlement periods, flexible fill materials, special compaction zones, high toe walls, or internal plinth designs are recommended to improve stress-deformation states and ensure stability. The core of CFRD technology lies in ensuring deformation coordination between the dam body and panels, achieved through numerical analysis, optimized dam zoning, higher downstream rockfill compaction standards, and balanced full-section filling to prevent panel separation and cracking, enhancing overall dam stability. Conclusions and Prospects Research indicates that as dam height increases, combined with complex topographic and geological conditions and harsh natural environments at dam sites, the physical and mechanical properties of CFRDs become increasingly complex. In-depth study of the structural characteristics of CFRDs under the "three highs, one deep, and one narrow" conditions is crucial not only for advancing dam construction and design feedback but also for guiding dam safety monitoring. In this context, monitoring projects and methods for CFRDs under high dam height, high seismic intensity, alpine region, deep overburden, and narrow valleys should focus on key indicators such as dam deformation, strong-motion monitoring, ice pressure, foundation settlement, and panel deformation. To address the inherent limitations of conventional monitoring technologies, the development of new precision monitoring instruments with large ranges and high water pressure resistance is required. These instruments are essential for comprehensively detecting abnormal information under extreme climate and harsh environmental conditions, meeting the safety monitoring needs of CFRDs under special engineering challenges. In the future, the predictive technology for the safety performance of CFRDs needs significant improvement. Large-scale and high-stress experiments on dam construction materials should be prioritized to establish constitutive models that comprehensively consider multiple factors. Additionally, attention should be given to other special engineering challenges such as high altitude, steep slopes, and karst landforms, which impact dam design and monitoring technologies. Furthermore, the integration of new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) is essential to promote the development of intelligent and precise safety monitoring systems, enabling real-time monitoring and early warning of dam operational conditions.http://jsuese.scu.edu.cn/thesisDetails#10.12454/j.jsuese.202500089concrete face rockfill damsafety monitoringhigh dam heightalpine regionhigh seismic intensitydeep overburden layernarrow valley |
| spellingShingle | XIAO Sheng YANG Jie LU Xi ZHOU Heng CHENG Lin MA Chunhui TONG Fei A Comprehensive Review of Safety Monitoring Technologies for Concrete Face Rockfill Dams Addressing the Challenges of "Three Highs, One Deep, and One Narrow" 工程科学与技术 concrete face rockfill dam safety monitoring high dam height alpine region high seismic intensity deep overburden layer narrow valley |
| title | A Comprehensive Review of Safety Monitoring Technologies for Concrete Face Rockfill Dams Addressing the Challenges of "Three Highs, One Deep, and One Narrow" |
| title_full | A Comprehensive Review of Safety Monitoring Technologies for Concrete Face Rockfill Dams Addressing the Challenges of "Three Highs, One Deep, and One Narrow" |
| title_fullStr | A Comprehensive Review of Safety Monitoring Technologies for Concrete Face Rockfill Dams Addressing the Challenges of "Three Highs, One Deep, and One Narrow" |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Comprehensive Review of Safety Monitoring Technologies for Concrete Face Rockfill Dams Addressing the Challenges of "Three Highs, One Deep, and One Narrow" |
| title_short | A Comprehensive Review of Safety Monitoring Technologies for Concrete Face Rockfill Dams Addressing the Challenges of "Three Highs, One Deep, and One Narrow" |
| title_sort | comprehensive review of safety monitoring technologies for concrete face rockfill dams addressing the challenges of three highs one deep and one narrow |
| topic | concrete face rockfill dam safety monitoring high dam height alpine region high seismic intensity deep overburden layer narrow valley |
| url | http://jsuese.scu.edu.cn/thesisDetails#10.12454/j.jsuese.202500089 |
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