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Procedia
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Procedia Engineering
Procedia 00 (2011)
Engineering 000–000
28 (2012) 442 – 447
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2012 International Conference on Modern Hydraulic Engineering

A Study of High Slope Stability of Yangfanggou Dam Site

Xiaojiang WANG, Guan RONGa, Jun PENG, a*
State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, China

Abstract

The engineering geological conditions of the slope of Yangfanggou dam site are firstly analyzed. From the
perspective of valley evolvement, the distinct element model of Yangfanggou river valley is established based on the
investigated geological data. On the basis of the model established, the results of stress in slope are calculated by
introducing the software of UDEC. According to simulation results, the basic law of stress and plastic zone is
concluded as follows: Stress field appears as four sub zones including the original zone of stress, the relaxation zone
of stress, the concentration zone and the transition zone of stress; the horizontal depth of the plastic zone calculated is
about 10 m~30 m, and the developing depth in left bank slope is larger than depth in right bank slope. Simulation
results are consistent with the actual geological conditions at the dam site. The coefficient of slope stability is
calculated by adopting the method of strength reduction, and the value is 1.89. There is a sliding block at the right
bank slope in the limit state.
© 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Society for Resources,
© 2011 Published
Environment by Elsevier Open
and Engineering Ltd. access under CC BY-NC-ND license.

Keywords: Yangfanggou hydropower station, DEM (Distinct element method), Valley evolution, Slope stability

1. Introduction

The proposed Yangfanggou hydropower station is located on the middle reach of the Yalong River in
Muli County, Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province, P.R.China. A double-curvature arch dam with a
maximum height of 158 m will be set up at the dam site. It will have a normal pool level of EL. (elevation)
2092 m, a storage capacity of 4.442 billion m3 and a total installed capacity of 1500 MW. The valley of
dam site was deeply cut by Yalong River with steep slope and high geostress existing. Owing to the
influences of discontinuities and geological effects such as weathering and unloading on the slope rock
masses, the evaluation of its stability is a complex subject. Much research work has been done by scholars

* Corresponding author: Guan RONG. Tel.: (86)-27-68772496.

E-mail address: rg_mail@163.com.

1877-7058 © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Society for Resources, Environment and Engineering
Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license. doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2012.01.748
2 Xiaojiang WANG
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Engineering 28 (2012)
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related to the characteristics of geostress and high slope stability [1~3]. In this paper, a numerical model
was firstly established according to the results of field geological investigation. Based on the geological
conditions already known, the initial geostress was determined. By adopting a reasonable constitutive
model which can reflect the variations of mechanical characteristics of rock masses during the process of
valley evolution, the simulation of valley evolution was done. On the basis of simulation results, we
discussed the law of stress field and plastic zone of dam site and a reasonable evaluation of high slope
stability of dam site was given.

2. Geological conditions of the dam site

The valley of Yangfanggou dam site is appears as “V” with high slope developed which has a
maximum elevation of 4000~4500 m. Slopes in the two banks of dam site are steep with a general dip
angle of over 50°. The main strata outcropping in this area consist of metamorphic sandstone of
Xinduqiao group, thin layer of gray slate and sandstone of Zagunao group during the Triassic,
granodiorite during the Yanshan period and loose deposits during the Quaternary. The dam site is located
at the Yajiang fold belt of Songpan - Ganzi geosyncline fold system, and the reservoir is located at the
Chuandian lozenge tectonic block with Fault Sanyanlong and Fault Qianbo developed in the northwest.
The joints of granodiorite developed at dam site mainly trends in the direction of NNE, NWW and NNW,
and joints of metamorphic sandstone in the directions of NW, NE and NWW. The heavily weathering
zones in the slope of dam site are mainly developed with a horizontal depth of 3 m in the slope with small
dip angle or where vegetation is developed. The unloading deformation of rock masses in slope is mainly
controlled by the cracks trending in the direction of NNW and NNE developed in granodiorite, thus
heavily unloading zone and slightly unloading zone is formed.

3. Numerical simulation of valley evolution

3.1. Numerical method for valley evolution

The basic pattern of valley during the evolution process has a great impact on the geostress nowadays.
Based on the regional geological conditions, five erosion planes are commonly seen in this area, the first
erosion planes is the watershed of Yalong River with a elevation of 4000 m, and is formed during the
perios of N2~Q11. The other planes is the wide valley type with the EL. 3500 m, EL. 3000 m, EL. 2500 m
and EL. 2200 m, and the formation periods is Q11, Q11, Q12 and Q13 respectively. IV-VI levels of terraces
are developed at the dam site with elevation higher than the river surface about 15~20 m, 40~70 m,
80~130 m, 110~180 m, 160~270 m, 215~390 m respectively. With considering the erosion planes and
terraces developed at the dam site, the numerical model with nine evolution stages are set in UDEC with
the corresponding elevations of 2750 m, 2500 m, 2370 m, 2250 m, 2160 m, 2110 m, 2050 m, 2000 m and
1974 m respectively. According to reasonable initial geostress and mechanical parameters of rock masses,
the numerical simulation can be done. By compared with the geological conditions of dam site and the
field investigation of geostress, the simulation results can be corrected. The numerical program adopting
in this paper is UDECV4.0 of the Itasca Company.

3.2. Numerical model in UDEC

The exploration section II have been chosen to be the section for simulating, it is in the vicinity of the
drilling of ZK121, ZK122 and ZK136. Its location can be seen in Fig 1(a).
The model is established in the local coordinate system of (X, Y) with the axis of X pointing to the left
444 Xiaojiang WANG
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bank slope (SW 62°) and the axis of Y in vertical upward direction. The overall range of the model is
shown in Fig 1(b) with the upper elevation of 3000 m, the lower elevation of 1400 m and the length of
1333 m vertical to the Yalong River. The location of monitoring points can be seen in Fig 1(b). The
model has blocks of 1836 with triangle deformation elements of 17802, grid nodes of 16326 and 12279
contacts. Four groups of tectonic joints was considered in the numerical model with the occurrence of
N15°E /NW∠40°, N80°E /NW∠40°, N20°E /SE∠50°and N60°W /SE∠80°. The lithology
in model is granodiorite and metamorphic sandstone.
JOB TITLE : 2D Stablity Analysis of Yang FANGFOU (*10^3)

II UDEC (Version 4.00) 3.000

1
LEGEND
2.800

Lithological
Granodiorite
14-May-09 9:26
cycle 0
time = 0.000E+00 sec
2 boundary 2.600

ou
block plot

g
ang
3 2.400

ngf
4

Ya
5 2.200

Yalong River 6
7
8 2.000

1 93 5

sands rphic
6

tone
2
4 7 1.800

Granodiorite

mo
Metamorphic

Meta
1.600

sandstone Granodiorite
1.400
Itasca Consulting Group, Inc.
II Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
-0.500 -0.300 -0.100 0.100 0.300 0.500 0.700 0.900 1.100
(*10^3)

Fig.1. (a) Engineering geology sections of Yangfanggou dam site; (b) UDEC model of Yangfanggou river valley

3.3. Parameters for calculation and boundary conditions

The elastic constitutive model is adopted for calculation before the erosion process. During the process
of valley evolution, the bilinear strain-softening ubiquitous joint model of Mohr-Coulomb is employed to
simulate the variations of stress and deformation of slope rock masses caused by the continuous cutting of
valley [1].
Table 1. Mechanical parameters of rock masses

Lithology type Granodiorite Metamorphic sandstone

Strength conditions Peak Post-peak Peak Post-peak
Internal friction angle (°) 37.9 33.0 30.0 25.0
Cohesion (Mpa) 6.0 4.1 3.4 2.7
Dilatancy angle (°) 20.0 0.0 20.0 0.0
Tensile strength (Mpa) 0.8 0.0 0.2 0.0
Elastic modulus (GPa) 24.8 7.7

Table 2. Mechanical parameters of discontinuous

Discontinuity type joints Lithology boundary

Kn (GPa/m) 9.0 10.0

Ks (GPa/m) 9.0 10.0
Cohesion (Mpa) 0.5 0.8
friction angle (°) 35.0 42.0
Tensile strength (Mpa) 0.0 0.0
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Engineering 28 (2012)
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The initial mechanical parameters of rock masses are firstly obtained by adopting the method of GSI,
and they are the initial basis for simulating calculation. Then, according to the difference between the
characteristics of stress investigated in field and the simulation results, the initial parameters can be
corrected. The corrected parameters are again adopted for calculation until a good simulation results is
got. The basic mechanical parameters of rock masses are listed in Table 1~2.
The velocity constraint is applied on the left, right and bottom surface of the model and linear initial
stress conditions is given to all deformation blocks and discontinuities. On the basis of field investigation
of geostress and the geological conditions of Yangfanggou dam site, the initial geostress is applied as
follows:
 xx  0.017 H
 (1)
 yy  0.026 H

 zz  0.017 H
Where  xx ,  yy and  zz denote stress in the direction of X, Y and Z respectively, and the unit is MPa.
H is depth with the unit of m.

4. Results of numerical simulation on valley evolution

4.1. Distribution law of stress field

The comparison between simulation results of geostress and field investigation results is listed in Table
3. It is seen in the table that the maximum error between the simulation results and field investigation
results is smaller than 10%.

Table 3. Simulation results and actual values of stress at monitoring points

Exploration section II

Monitoring point 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Simulation result(MPa) 7.22 7.50 12.35 8.01 9.04 10.36 17.43

(σ 1/σ 3) /6.03 /6.21 /10.11 /5.81 /6.25 /9.35 /10.67

Actual value(MPa) 6.56 7.15 13.10 8.41 8.41 11.18 18.10

(σ 1/σ 3) /5.56 /5.65 /9.30 /5.45 /5.91 /8.68 /11.60

10.00 4.90 5.73 4.76 7.49 7.33 3.70

Error (%)
/8.45 /9.91 /8.71 /6.61 /5.75 /7.72 /8.02

Vectors of principal stress of exploration section II is shown in Fig 2(a). The characteristics of
goestress are analyzed as follows: the relation zone of stress is appears in the weathering belt of slope,
and it is the results of release of initial stress [4]. Caused by the effects of supergene transformation,
unloading fractures is developed in the slope, so the rock masses of slope has a smaller deformation
modulus with a principal stress of 0~3.5 MPa which is nearly parallel with the slope surface; the
transition zone of stress is located in the horizontal depth of 40~100 m with a principal stress of 10.5
Mpa~14 MPa; the concentration zone of stress caused by the stress redistribution when the free surface of
valley is formed is located in a depth of 15~90 m below the riverbed surface. The principal stress in
concentration zone is about 24.5~28 MPa with the maximum value appears at the depth of 65 m below
the riverbed surface. As a result of the superimposing effects of slope topography and the horizontal
geological conditions, stress is concentrated significantly in this area. The phenomenon of disced rock
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cores found in the depth of 69~85 m of Drilling 136 is consistent with the simulation results of stress; the
original stress zone is located in a horizontal depth of over 150 m, a vertical depth beyond 200 m below
the riverbed surface. In the original stress zone, the stress can not be affected by the valley evolution, and
it has a slow variation gradient of stress with a steady direction of principal stress.
JOB TITLE : 2D Stablity Analysis of Yang FANGFOU (*10^3)

UDEC (Version 4.00)

JOB TITLE : 2D Stablity Analysis of Yang FANGFOU (*10^3)

2.250
UDEC (Version 4.00)
LEGEND 2.500

LEGEND Relaxation zone12:22

14-May-09
2.200

14-May-09 12:22
cycle 282891
of stress
cycle 282891
time = 1.897E+02 sec 2.300
2.150
time = 1.897E+02 sec
block plot Transitionblock
zone
plot
no. zones : total 9675
Principal stresses
(color code - s1 magnitude) of stress
at yield surface (*) 0
2.100
-2.862E+01 -> 1.890E-02 yielded in past (X) 486 2.100
0.000E+00 3.500E+00 Concentration
tensile failure (o) 0
-3.500E+00 0.000E+00
-7.000E+00 -3.500E+00
-1.050E+01 -7.000E+00
zone of stress 2.050

-1.400E+01 -1.050E+01
Yalong
1.900
-1.750E+01 -1.400E+01 2.000
-2.100E+01 -1.750E+01
-2.450E+01 -2.100E+01 River
-2.800E+01 -2.450E+01
1.950
-3.150E+01 -2.800E+01 1.700

0 5E 1
1.900

1.500

1.850

Itasca Consulting Group, Inc.

Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
1.750 2.250 2.750 3.250 3.750 4.250 4.750 5.250 5.750
(*10^2) 1.300
Itasca Consulting Group, Inc.
Fig. 2. (a) Max. principal stress vector of section II; (b)
Minneapolis, Plastic
Minnesota USA zone of valley by UDEC of section II
-0.300 -0.100 0.100 0.300 0.500 0.700 0.900
(*10^3)

4.2. Basic law of plastic zone

The plastic zone of exploration section II when the erosion process is complete is shown in Fig 2(b).
The supergene transformation of rock masses will lead to the unloading belts which is similar with EDZ
(excavation disturbed zone) of tunnel. The field investigation shows that the unloading zone is developed
within the range of horizontal depth of 20 m, and the developing depth in left bank slope is larger than the
right bank. The characteristics of plastic zone simulated is consistent with the field investigation with a
horizontal depth of 10~30 m. The slope topography is an important factor influencing the developing
depth of plastic zone. The steeper and higher the slope is, the more developed plastic zone appears. The
developing depth at the lower location of slope is small due to the constraint effects of the valley bottom.
With the increase of slope elevation, the developing depth of plastic zone becomes larger.

4.3. Analysis of the high slope stability

Based on the simulation results of geostress, we adopted the method of strength reduction to calculate
the coefficient of slope stability. In the process of strength reduction, by decreasing the mechanical
parameters of rock masses until the system is in the unbalanced state, we get the coefficient of slope
stability which is the reduction coefficient. The mechanical parameters of deformation blocks and
discontinuities can be reduced simultaneously in UDEC [5].
The coefficient of slope stability calculated by introducing the method of strength reduction is 1.89.
The plastic zone of exploration section II in limit state is shown in Fig 3(a). The developing depth of
plastic zone in left bank slope is larger than the right bank slope. The rupture zone developed in the high
elevation of left bank slope and the bottom of riverbed has great impact on the slope stability of slope
with the performance of avalanche and falling of rock blocks which will be more serious in the conditions
of rainfall and earthquakes. The displacement vectors and shear displacement are shown in Fig 3(b). The
displacement is generally the springback deformation which is perpendicular to the slope surface with a
large value in the lower elevation of left bank slope. In the right bank slope, there is a loose block with
large shear displacement, it is an adverse condition to the slope stability and needs to reinforcement.
6 JOB TITLE : 2D Stablity Analysis of Yang FANGFOU
Xiaojiang WANG
Author et /al.
name / Procedia
Procedia Engineering
Engineering 28 (2012)
00 (2011) 442 – 447
000–000
(*10^3)
447
UDEC (Version 4.00) JOB TITLE : 2D Stablity Analysis of Yang FANGFOU (*10^3)

2.250
UDEC (Version 4.00)
LEGEND 2.500

LEGEND 2.200
11-May-09 19:29
cycle 296391
11-May-09 19:29
time = 1.987E+02 sec cycle 296391 2.300

block plot time = 1.987E+02 sec

2.150

no. zones : total 9675 boundary plot

at yield surface (*) 47 displacement vectors
maximum = 1.426E+00
yielded in past (X) 495 2.100
2.100

tensile failure (o) 144 0 5E 0

shear displacement on joint
max shear disp = 1.217E+00 2.050
each line thick = 2.434E-01
1.900

2.000

1.700
1.950

1.900
1.500

Itasca Consulting Group, Inc. 1.850

Minneapolis, Minnesota USA

1.300 2.250 2.750 3.250 3.750 4.250 4.750 5.250 5.750
Itasca Consulting Group, Inc. (*10^2)

Fig. 3. (a) Plastic zone of valley in limit state; (b) Shear displacement and displacement in limit state
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
-0.300 -0.100 0.100 0.300 0.500 0.700 0.900
(*10^3)

5. Conclusion

By introducing the discrete element method, the valley evolution of Yangfanggou hydropower station
dam site is simulated. The results are concluded as follows: (1) the simulating method adopting in this
paper is reasonable because only 10% error between the simulated results of stress and the stress data
obtained by field investigation. Stress field appears as four sub zones including the original zone of stress,
the relaxation zone of stress, the concentration zone and the transition zone of stress. The relaxation zone
has a poor quality rock masses with unloading fractures developed. Significantly concentrated stress
presents in the concentration zone where baddisced rock cores developed. (2) The horizontal depth of
plastic zone calculated is about 10 m~30 m, and the characteristics of the plastic zone simulated are
consistent with the weathering zone. (3) The coefficient of slope stability is 1.89 which is calculated by
adopting the method of strength reduction. There is a loose block with large shear displacement in the
right bank slope, and it is an adverse condition to the slope stability and needs to be reinforced.

Acknowledgements

The research work presented in this paper is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of
China (No. 50879063, 50979081, 50725931) and the National Basic Research Program of China (973
Program-2011CB013501 and 2010CB732005). The authors would like to thank for the support.

References

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[2] Jiao Yuyong, Ge Xiurun, Liu Quansheng, Feng Shuren, Three-dimensional discrete element method and its application in
landslide analysis, Chinese journal of geotechnical engineering. 2000; 22 (1): 101-104.
[3] Guo Huaizhi, Ma Qichao, Xue Xicheng, Wang Danian, The analytical method of the initial stress field for rock masses,
Chinese journal of geotechnical engineering. 1983; 5 (3): 64-75.
[4] Huang Runqiu, Geodynamical process and stability control of high rock slope development, Chinese journal of rock
mechanics and engineering. 2008; 27 (8): 1525-1543.
[5] Itasca Consulting Group Inc. Universal Distinct Element Code User’s Guide. Minneapolis: Minnesota; 2005.