Numerical Analysis of the Stress State of a Plane Elastic "Earth-and-Rockfill dam-Base" System

This article examines numerical modeling of the stress state of earth dams, taking into account the influence of the soil base. A developed methodology and program were used to calculate the distribution of strains and stresses in the dam body and base. A static analysis of a tall earth dam with its base operating in Uzbekistan was performed under the principal loads. The physical and mechanical properties of the base soils were determined experimentally (by drilling). The problem was solved numerically using the finite element method. The results of the study are presented as isolines of vertical displacements and distributed normal stresses in the studied zone of structure-soil interaction. The analysis revealed a significant impact of the soil base properties on the stress distribution within the dam body. Based on this analysis, critical sections of the dam with the highest risk of damage were identified. Based on the study's findings, recommendations were formulated for the design of large engineering structures on non-homogeneous soil bases.