Numerical investigation of dam stability in the presence of fissured materials with varying angles

Dams play an essential role in water storage and supply, and ensuring their safety is of utmost importance. The presence of fissured soil poses a common engineering challenge in dam construction, as it has the potential to cause instability and failure. The study described in this paper employs numerical analysis to explore the impact of fissured soil on dam stability. The finite element method (FEM) software OPTUMG2 is utilized for this investigation. A 2D plane strain model of a dam was created and analyzed for different angles of fissured material. The first angle, α₁, varied from 0° to 90° in 15° increments, while the second angle, α₂, varied from 95° to 180° in 15° increments, additionally, we explore the combined effects of these angles (α₁ with α₂) to comprehensively assess the impact of fissured material on dam stability. The findings indicated a notable influence of the orientation of fissured planes on dam stability. Factors such as the factor of safety, slope surfaces, displacements, and deformations exhibited variations based on the specific orientation of the fissured material. Broadly, dams featuring fissured planes oriented closer to the vertical demonstrated greater stability compared to dams with fissured planes oriented closer to the horizontal. This research offers valuable insights into the impact of fissured soil on the stability of dams. The results can be used to develop better design and construction practices for dams in fissured soil areas.