Study on conceptualization method of deformation pattern and horizontal breakage of face slab of concrete faced rockfill dam

The deformation behavior of face slab of concrete faced rockfill dam(CFRD) in the cross section and its conceptualization method was studied. The relationship between deformation behavior of face slab and stress along slope direction in face slab, and the generation mechanism of stress along slope direction in face slab was explored. The effect of the external factor including time and reservoir water level on slab stress along slope direction was also discovered. It is found that the drag effect of dam deformation on face slab along slope direction is the main reason of the stress along slope direction in face slab. The case of Sanbanxi CFRD was employed to investigate the mechanism of horizontal breakage of face slab of CFRD. The results show that the rather big creep deformation of dam embankment and the displacement of face slab along slope direction due to dam deformation is the main source which lead to rather high stress along slope direction in face slab. The regional bending deflection of face slab due to reservoir water pressure, the effect of embankment settlement on stress of the first stage face slab, high horizontal stress of face slab due to special terrain, and the existing bending deflection of face slab due to slope deficiency increases stress along slope direction in face slab and eventually result in the face slab breakage in construction joint of the first and the second stage face slab, which has local structural defect.