Compatible Deformation Behavior of Different Zone Layout Sections in a Clay Core Dam Via Centrifuge Modeling

The compatible deformation behavior of a clay core dam is an important safety-related factor; however, it has not attracted sufficient attention, especially when the zone layouts are different along the direction of the dam axis. In this study, three centrifuge modeling tests were performed to investigate this problem. Model MY1 includes only a homogeneous clay zone, MY2 includes inclined clay core and rockfill zones, and MY3 is a composite dam. MY3-D1 and MY3-D2 denote two dam blocks in MY3, and their dam types are identical to those of MY1 and MY2, respectively. The results show that the maximum settlements along the elevation occur at the half-way point of the height of the dam body during construction and are approximately 1% of the dam height. Nearly 90% or more of settlements occur primarily during the construction period. The postconstruction additional settlement difference between MY3-D1 and MY3-D2 is less than 2 cm; and the settlements induced by reservoir filling are very similar at 14.7 and 15.8% of the entire postconstruction settlement, respectively. This result indicates that the working characteristics of the composite dam are stable, and the compatible deformation of different zone layout sections of the dam is acceptable.