Technical advances in concrete face rockfill dams in China

The development of concrete face rockfll dams (CFRD) in China for more than 20 years is introduced. The main features including dam slope, thickness, width and reinforcement ratio of face slab, width of plinth, dam zoning, type of rockfill and function of project and some initiative creations about design concept, placement criteria and water-stop are presented. China's leading position in the worldwide CFRDs is shown. The technical advances and creations in the design, construction, test, research, inspection, safety monitoring of CFRDs are described. The construction technology using soft rock and sand gravel as embankment materials as well as the key technology for building CFRDs at the site with bad natural features including narrow river valley, steep river slope, deep overburden layer, strong earthquake zone and severe cold zone is also presented. The challenge and prospect for supper-high CFRDs in the future are proposed.