Three-Dimensional Wave-Field Characteristics of Earth-Rock Dams with Different Hidden Hazards

Abstract

The three-dimensional wave-field characteristics of dangerous earth-rock dams are the premise and foundation to identify the hidden hazards of the earth-rock dams via wave test method. Based on the equivalent elastic wave theory in isotropic mediums, the three-dimensional wave field of earth-rock dams with different defects was calculated using the finite element numerical simulation method. The characteristic and regularity of the three-dimensional wave field was explored. The result of the analysis shows that the size and position of the defects are closely related with the wave-field information received on the dam surface. The elasticity modulus and density of the defects have great effect on the wave field, and alternately, Poisson’s ratio of the defects has little effect on the wave field. The greater the difference between the wave velocity of the hazardous materials and the dam body is, the stronger the energy of the scattered wave will be, which in turn will produce clearer lineups of the scattered wave on the time-history profile. For a single wave movement signal, the dominant frequency amplitude is exponentially correlated with the longitudinal wave velocity of the hazardous materials. Therefore, in the process of wave detection for earth-rock dam hazards, the effect of the elasticity modulus, density, and wave velocity on the test signal should be taken into account. The dominant frequency amplitude can serve as one of the control parameters for interpretation of dam hazards by the analysis of the wave test signal.