Construction of concrete-faced rockfill dams with weak rocks

Constructing concrete-faced rockfill dams (CFRDs) with weak rocks has great advantages as a result of the use of local materials, cost-effectiveness, extensive adaptability, simple construction, and short construction period. However, the behaviors of CFRDs constructed with weak rocks are not well-understood. This paper reports the physical, mechanical, and hydraulic properties of weak rockfill during placement and compaction in three dam projects in China. These properties were obtained from laboratory and field tests. Important considerations, such as the control of crushing and crusting and the increase of the permeability of weak rocks, are discussed. Numerical studies on the settlements and slope stability of the dams were conducted and their results were compared with the field measurements. This study provides the opportunities for further understanding the behaviors of CFRDs with weak rocks.