Influence of the different pipe cooling scheme on temperature distribution in RCC arch dams

Based on the physical properties of rolled compacted concrete (RCC) arch dam, three-dimensional finite element relocating mesh method is used to simulate the temperature distribution for different pipe cooling scheme in the RCC arch dam during construction and operation period. Many factors have also been considered, such as thermal adiabatic rise of temperature with age, the process of placement by layer, work suspension in summer, the change of air temperature, the method of superficial thermal insulation and water storage in temperature field. The calculated results show that the cooling effect was notable and the maximum temperature decreased greatly at the centre of the dam when the layout range of pipe cooling changed from El.2299–2327 m to El.2275–2293 m. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.