Research on profile design criteria of 100 m CSG dams

Cemented sand gravel (CSG) dams, as a newly-developing dam type, has attracted great attention in dam construction industry around the world due to its environmental friendliness and economic efficiency. However, there has been no uniform design specification for its construction yet due to insufficient application research. Based on the design theories of concrete dam and earth rock dam, this paper quantified the impact and control factors of the foundation with reference to the sluice design theory, proposed the structural failure mode and optimal profile of four 100 m CSG dams with different cementing material content under different foundation conditions, and analyzed the profile design criteria of 100 m CSG dams. Results showed that: (1) the failure modes of CSG dams may include overall instable failure along the dam foundation plane, instable failure of dam slope and local stress failure of dam or dam foundation, etc.; (2) if CSG materials were used in rock foundation, the dam body stress should be used as the control criterion; while on extremely soft rock foundation, the control criterion should be based on the amount of CSG materials; (3) if CSG materials were used on rock-soil foundation, bearing capacity and anti sliding stability of the foundation should be used as the control criterion; while on gravelly soil foundation, the control criterion should be based on the amount of CSG materials. These results may be used as a reference for designers, laying a foundation for the extension and application of CSG dams.