Temperature control and thermal-induced stress field analysis of GongGuoQiao RCC dam

Temperature control is vital to avoid thermal stress cracking in large volume concrete structures. This paper presents numerical modeling results of the temperature field and the thermal-induced stress in the Gongguoqiao roller-compacted-concrete (RCC) dam. The overflow dam section of the Gongguoqiao RCC gravity dam was numerically simulated by the finite element method, in which the boundary conditions and computing assumptions were described according to the in situ conditions. The control criteria of temperature and induced stable stress were determined for the RCC dam in discussion based on the design code for concrete gravity dam. Numerical simulation of the temperature filed and thermal-induced stress field was then carried out during the full-life stages including the construction and the service period of the RCC dam. The numerical results were used as reference to guide the construction and engineering measures to fulfill the requirements of the dam temperature control criteria. Two working conditions, i.e., without and with water-cooling, were analyzed and compared in detail to demonstrate the simulation of the temperature field and the thermal-induced stress field of the Gongguoqiao RCC dam. Temperature control measurements were finally proposed for the discussed RCC dam to assure its safety.