Water Resources and Power

Large-volume concrete structures often experience significant tensile stress during construction and operation due to temperature variations, leading to cracks that compromise structural integrity, reduce durability, and pose substantial risks. This issue is particularly critical for pumped-storage power stations, where frequent water level fluctuations exacerbate the risk of dam cracking. Taking the roller-compacted concrete gravity dam for Hebei Shangyi pumped-storage power station as an example, three-dimensional finite element analysis and the equivalent heat release coefficient method were used to simulate the daily water level changes in one day during operation. The temperature and thermal stress characteristics of concrete gravity dams in cold regions were analyzed, and the necessary temperature control measures to prevent dam cracking were discussed. The results indicate that the measures such as controlling pouring temperature, surface insulation, and water-pipe cooling can effectively reduce the dam's maximum temperature and stress levels. The proposed temperature control strategies and equivalent heat release coefficient method can provide valuable references for similar projects.