Plan element simulation of fracture seepage for analyzing seepage in RCC dams

In consideration of the structural characteristics of the layerlifted construction of rollercompactedconcrete (RCC) dams and the complicated seepage properties, the authors developed an effective plan element model for fracture seepage in the dams based on anisotropic equivalent continuous model. With the new model the complicated and concentrated seepage behaviours of lift interface, lift joints and other cracks in RCC dams could be simulated easily and preciously. Under the condition without increasing the number of elements and nodes, the model can effectively deal with the anisotropy of permeability of the dams caused by the lift interfaces and joints and easily simulate the scattered discontinuities one by one. The real seepage performance of RCC dams could be reflected in the smiulation with high precise and the solutions of the seepage fields were improved. A 3D example of the seepage behavior of a 102m high RCC gravity dam with or without lift joints, fractures and drainage curtain were evaluated in detail.