Modelagem numérica do comportamento tensão-deformação de barragens de terra: estudo de caso da UHE de São Simão

Abstract

This project shows the results of numerical modeling of the stress-strain behavior of the earthfill dams of São Simão Hydroelectric Plant during the construction period. The numerical analysis were performed using the software SIGMA/W 2007 version, which is based on the finite element method. The results of the numerical modeling were compared to the results of field instrumentation with the objective of verifying the suitability of the constitutive model adopted in the representation of the behavior of the soils used in the construction and foundation of the dam. Linear elastic and hyperbolic constitutive models were used in the analysis. The hyperbolic model assumes that the soil is a non-linear elastic material with behavior depending on the confining stress levels. The calibration parameters of the models were determined using the results of triaxial tests performed at the time of the construction of the dam and complemented with data from literature. It was concluded that, although the numerical results did not show a satisfactory fit for all field instrumentation, factors discussed throughout this project, in a certain way, justify the aspects that may have affected the results. Therefore, the use of the hyperbolic model is valuable in predicting the stress-strain behavior of earthfill dams.