Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Author Spotlight: Simulation and Analysis of the Temperature Rise of Ring Main Unit Equipment
Published on: July 5, 2024
Calculation and Analysis of Temperature Damage of Shimantan Concrete Gravity Dam Based on Macro-Meso Model
Yantao Jiao1, Liping Cheng2, Ning Wang3
1School of Water Conservancy, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450045, China.
Abstract:
Considering that ANSYS software will automatically quit or the computer will freeze when generating random aggregate models of concrete by using some existing methods that are based on the ANSYS parametric design language (APDL), a new method of random aggregate placement using the ESEL command in APDL and the rotation of the local coordinate system is proposed in this paper. According to this method, a multiscale macroscopic and mesoscopic finite element model of the No. 9 non-overflow dam section of Shimantan dam is constructed. In addition, considering that most of the damage models adopted by the existing mesoscale simulation of concrete damage and fracture cannot take into account the interaction between aggregates, interfacial transition zone (ITZ), and mortar, an improved anisotropic temperature damage model is proposed in this paper. The aggregate placement simulation results show that the method presented in this paper can quickly generate two-dimensional (2D) random concrete aggregates, and the generation of three-dimensional (3D) aggregates can also be completed in a very short time, which can greatly improve the aggregate generation efficiency. Moreover, the aggregate shape generated by this method is very close to the real concrete aggregate shape. The crack propagation simulation results show that the sudden rise and fall of temperature can cause damage in the mortar and ITZ of concrete inside the dam body, which is the main reason for the generation of macroscopic through-cracks in the No. 9 non-overflow dam section of Shimantan dam during the operation period. Finally, it can be learned from the results that the method presented in this paper is reasonable and feasible, and can be extended to the crack propagation simulation of some other concrete gravity and arch dams.
Related Concept Videos
Design Example: Creating a Hydraulic Model of a Dam Spillway
Mass Concreting
To reduce the risk of such cracking, the concrete mix may incorporate low-heat cement and pozzolans to reduce the temperature rise. Pre-cooled angular aggregates and water-reducing admixtures...
Typical Model Studies
Hot Weather Concreting
Mitigating the heat increase in concrete can be economically achieved by shading aggregate stockpiles to prevent heating from solar radiation,...
Microcracking in Concrete
Shrinkage in Concrete
When concrete is still in its plastic state, it can undergo a decrease in volume by about 1% of its absolute volume. This decrease is known as plastic shrinkage. It arises either...

