Application of displacement multi-point constraint refinement method in simulation of concrete-faced rockfill dams

In the numerical simulation of a concrete-faced rockfill dam, to consider the accuracy and efficiency of calculation, the concrete slab can be simulated using fine mesh and the rockfill can be simulated using relatively coarse mesh. Therefore, the proper algorithm should be established between the slab and the rockfill for transferring the load and displacement. An algorithm to connect the fine mesh and the coarse mesh is developed based on the multi-point constraint method. It is used to simulate a 200 m-high concrete-faced rockfill dam under construction. By comparing the results of the traditional simulation and the current method, it is shown that the proposed method has good precision, and the deformation is continuous at the interface between the slab and the rockfill. Compared with the traditional simulation, the simulation based on the displacement multi-point constraint refinement method can describe the stress gradient in the slab, which can provide a technical basis for simulating the local damage of the concrete slab. The proposed method is practical and easy to implement numerically, and it has a good future for application.