COMSOL Multiphysics-based coupled analysis on seepage field and stress field of gravity dam

By means of the powerful modeling and calculation functions of COMSOL Multiphysics,a 2-D seepage field and stress field coupled model for the section of concrete gravity dam is established,and then the seepage free surface is determined with the method for solving the seepage mixed boundary by selecting structural mechanics moduleplus Richards Eqution module for describing fluid flow,so as to study the coupled effect of both the seepage field and the stress field under the normal water storage condition,and then compare with the that without consideration of coupled effect.The result shows that (1) the distribution laws of the seepage field,the stress field and displacement field under the consideration or without the consideration of the coupled effect are basically consistent,but the coupled effect has a relatively significant impact on the seepage field,the stress field and displacement of gravity dam;(2) the coupled effect makes the location of the saturation line on dam body slightly lower,the equipotential lines of seepage field deflected to the downstream and the uplift pressure increased;(3) the coupled effect makes the overall stress increased,both the upstream tensile stress and the downstream compressive stress of dam body increased and the stress concentration at the dam heel exacerbated.Generally,the study result has a reference value for the design of gravity dam.