Geotechnical characteristics of Bakhtiary dam site, SW Iran: the highest double-curvature dam in the world

The Bakhtiary Hydropower Project with a 325 m high dam will be constructed on Bakhtiary River, in southwest Iran. The main dam has been designed as a double-curvature concrete structure which will be the highest one of its type in the world. Geologically, the dam site is located on siliceous limestone of the Sarvak Formation in the northwestern part of the folded Zagros. A large number of complicated geological structures in the study area, such as folding and duplex structure, faults, chevron folds, kink band zones as well as joint and fracture systems, raised concerns regarding the acceptability of the site for such a monumental dam. To create a comprehensive geotechnical model of the dam site and appurtenant structures, very extensive surface and subsurface investigations were carried out, including core drilling, water pressure testing, driving exploratory galleries for engineering geological mapping, a rock mass discontinuity survey and in situ rock mechanical tests. This research applies the results of the engineering geological and geotechnical investigations to define the geomechanical model of the dam site enabling options to be considered to achieve a safe dam design. The investigations show the rock mass of the dam site area is intersected by four main discontinuities namely, the bedding plane(s) of the rock mass and three major joint sets. Water pressure tests provide data about the permeability of the rock mass which is significantly dependant on the joint properties and the geological structures. These parameters, set the criteria for the design of the grout curtain at the dam foundation. The rock mass classification of the dam site was determined mainly based on the gallery survey and core logging using the rock mass rating, geological strength index (GSI) and Q system. Six classes of rock mass qualities were distinguished which show a fair to good rock mass at the dam foundation. From the plate load test results, a site-specific correlation was developed for estimating the modulus of deformation of the rock masses using GSI value. The estimated engineering geological and geotechnical parameters at the dam site are generally favorable and suitable for the safe design of the Bakhtiary arch dam with a height of 325 m.