Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-05-05 Origin: Site
With the accelerated construction of 200m-300m-class high dams in western China, temperature control and crack prevention in concrete dams have become critical challenges. The persistent "no dam without cracks" phenomenon requires innovative breakthroughs through modern computing technologies, materials science, and intelligent management systems. This drives the transition from "Digital Dams" (data acquisition and simulation analysis) to "Smart Dams" (automated control and real-time decision-making), enabling full lifecycle safety management of high dams.
1.1 Mix Optimization:
Reduced hydration heat via water reducers and fly ash (40%-60% dosage).
MgO-based cement for temperature stress compensation.
1.2 Advanced Materials:
Low-heat Portland cement (e.g., High Ferrite Cement) alleviates conflicts between high-strength concrete and temperature control.
Multi-component cementitious materials enable customized high-performance concrete.
1.3 Challenges:
Tensile strength of full-graded specimens is only 51%-61% of wet-screened specimens.
Current safety coefficients in standards remain overly conservative.
2.1 Finite Element Analysis:
Mature dynamic construction simulation technology (e.g., SAPTIS software by Academician Zhu Bofang’s team).
2.2 Algorithm Improvements:
Enhanced computational efficiency via expanded-layer algorithms and heterogeneous element methods.
2.3 Parameter Limitations:
Adiabatic temperature rise and elastic modulus models fail to fully account for:
Late-stage fly ash hydration heat.
Temperature history effects.
3.1 Revised Safety Factors:
Wet-screened specimens overestimate crack resistance (e.g., Xiaowan Project safety factor: 0.927).
Updated standards now require safety factors of 1.5-2.0.
3.2 Temperature Gradient Optimization:
Base Temperature Difference: Roller-compacted concrete dams exceed code limits (e.g., Longtan Project: 16°C).
Interlayer Temperature Difference: Dynamic adjustment based on pouring block length.
Internal-External Temperature Difference: Year-round insulation to prevent cold wave cracks.
4.1 Traditional Methods:
Cooling pipes, low-temperature pouring, surface insulation (e.g., crack-free Three Gorges Dam).
4.2 Innovative Strategies:
"Comprehensive Temperature Control + Long-term Insulation" philosophy (Zhu Bofang).
Cooling protocols optimized via fracture mechanics.
5.1 Digital-to-Smart Transition:
Intelligent Cooling: Real-time flow/temperature adjustments using IoT sensors.
Automated Monitoring: Replace manual data entry with synchronized stress/temperature logging.
5.2 Safety Evaluation Innovations:
True Behavioral Simulation: Incorporate residual stresses and nonlinear gradients via SR Method (full-process simulation + strength reduction).
Lifecycle Monitoring: Integrate real-time data with simulations for dynamic safety assessments.
| Category | Key Issues | Proposed Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Materials/Parameters | Large thermal parameter variations; inadequate full-graded specimen data | Develop long-term precision measurement devices; quantify gradation effects |
| Modeling | Existing models ignore temperature history and fly ash hydration lag | Establish temperature-dependent hydration models; validate autogenous deformation |
| Smart Technologies | Manual data collection delays; immature intelligent cooling systems | Promote automated data acquisition; foster cross-disciplinary R&D collaborations |
| Standards | Static temperature limits (e.g., 15-20°C interlayer difference) | Develop dynamic standards accounting for pouring block length |
Material Science:
Tailored concrete thermal parameter design.
Industrial-scale production of low-heat cements.
Smart Systems:
AI-driven temperature control models.
Fully automated cooling equipment.
Safety Evaluation:
True behavioral simulation platforms.
SR Method standardization in codes.
Regulatory Updates:
Full-graded concrete crack resistance standards.
Adaptive temperature control frameworks.
This study systematically reviews temperature control strategies for high dams, positioning "Smart Dams" as the ultimate solution to the "no dam without cracks" dilemma. Through synergistic advancements in materials, algorithms, intelligent control, and true behavioral simulation, full lifecycle safety management of 300m-class dams becomes achievable. These innovations provide critical theoretical and technical support for China’s super-high dam projects while establishing a global benchmark for intelligent hydraulic engineering.
BGT Hydromet committed to the field of intelligent perception safety monitoring of DAMS, we have participated in the construction of nearly 3,000 small reservoirs in China for rainwater conditions and dam safety monitoring services, providing accurate information guarantee for reservoir flood control dispatching, forecasting and early warning.
