Research on Failure Modes and Causes of 100-m-High Core Wall Rockfill Dams

Rockfill dams are the most competitive type of dam in complex geological environments. Identifying the failure modes and causes in high dams over 100 m is critical for better guiding high dam designs and implementing safety prevention and control measures. To this end, this paper investigated numerous cases of earth–rock dam breaches and failure modes in rockfill dams globally, with a particular focus on dams over 100 m in height, encompassing all such dams in China. The study categorized dam failure modes based on whether the dams were built before or after 1980. It also examined the causes of dam failures in terms of dam height, foundation characteristics and thickness, and failure time. Additionally, the paper analyzed a rockfill dam in China, with a height of 136 m and over ten years of operation, as a case study. We analyzed the spatial and temporal characteristics and causes of failures, such as dam crest cracking, high-level seepage, and gallery cracking, using the design situation, monitoring data, and numerical simulation. The paper also addressed issues related to dam design and foundation treatment, providing recommendations for improvement. The study indicated that the overall risk of total failure for dams over 100 m is already low. However, longitudinal cracks on the dam crest, core wall seepage, hydraulic splitting, and seepage damage to the dam foundation are primary issues in the current high core wall rockfill dams. These issues are mainly caused by uneven structural deformation of the dam and its foundation. A reasonable design of rockfill materials and foundations can mitigate these failures.