Simulation of temperature and stress fields during RCC dam construction

The worldwide experience in the construction of roller-compacted concrete ( RCC) dams together with the use of numerical solutions, allows the simulati on of different scenarios in a computer. It is well documented that thermal control is one of the most important problems for RCC dam construction. Th e dam temperature changes due to the heat produced by the internal hydratio n of concrete and the environmental boundary conditions influencing the ela stic modulus and creep properties of concrete. The construction process was simulated to study how the temperature and stress change during dam constr uction. The numerical methodology considers the effect of temperature on th e elastic modulus and the creep behavior of concrete. A 3D finite-element p rogram was developed to simulate the construction process. An engineering a pplication of this methodology is presented by simulating the construction of an RCC gravity dam in southern China. The results show how the temperatu re and stress change with the construction process. The results also show t hat it is feasible to build RCC dams in low temperature seasons without add itional temperature control measures.