A Brief Review of Rock-Filled Concrete Dams and Prospects for Next-Generation Concrete Dam Construction Technology
Feng Jin, Duruo Huang, Michel Lino, Hu Zhou
Abstract
Over the past few decades, one of the most significant advances in dam construction has been the invention of the rock-filled concrete (RFC) dam, which is constructed by pouring high-performance self-compacting concrete (HSCC) to fill the voids in preplaced large rocks. The innovative use of large rocks in dam construction provides engineers with a material that requires less cement consumption and hydration heat while enhancing construction efficiency and environmental friendliness. However, two fundamental scientific issues related to RFC need to be addressed: namely, the pouring compactness and the effect of large rocks on the mechanical and physical properties of RFC. This article provides a timely review of fundamental research and innovations in the design, construction, and quality control of RFC dams. Prospects for next-generation concrete dams are discussed from the perspectives of environmental friendliness, intrinsic safety, and labor savings.