Numerical Investigation of Dam Stability in the Presence of Fissured Materials with Varying Angles

Abstract Dams are essential infrastructure for water storage and supply, and their safety is paramount. Fissured soil is a common engineering challenge in dam construction, as it can lead to instability and failure. This paper presents a numerical investigation of the effects of fissured soil on dam stability using the finite element method (FEM) software OPTUMG2. 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 results showed that the orientation of the fissured planes has a significant impact on dam stability. The factor of safety, slope surfaces, displacements, and deformations all varied depending on the orientation of the fissured material. In general, dams with fissured planes oriented at angles closer to the vertical were more stable than dams with fissured planes oriented at angles closer to the horizontal. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of fissured soil on dam stability. The results can be used to develop better design and construction practices for dams in fissured soil areas.