Journal of Hydroelectric Engineering

水力发电学报

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2025 Vol. 44, No. 1 Published: 2025-01-25

	1	Research progress and challenges to studies on deformation and stability of high steep slopes in hydropower projects ^Hot!
		ZHOU Chuangbing, JIANG Qinghui, YAO Chi, WEI Wei, HU Ran
		DOI: 10.11660/slfdxb.20250101
		The deformation and stability analysis of high steep slopes is a key technical problem in the construction and operation of hydropower projects. Over the past two decades, China has built a large number of large-scale water conservancy and hydropower projects. Many key technical problems of high dams and large reservoirs have been solved successfully, and remarkable progress has been achieved in the life cycle performance evolution and safety control of high, steep slopes of reservoirs. This paper takes the performance evaluation of high steep slopes in the southwest hydropower projects as the main research line, and focuses on the deformation and stability evolution of high steep slopes. We examine the research progress in determining the influencing factors of stability and failure modes of high steep slopes, stability evaluation and deformation analysis methods, seepage analysis, and safety control. The latest researches are discussed in detail on the strict three-dimensional limit equilibrium method, modified Hoek-Bray wedge method, rigid body spring method, parameter inversion method based on monitoring data, and slope seepage analysis. We also discuss the academic thinking and technical route and certain future challenges to the life-cycle deformation and stability evolution analysis of high steep slopes in hydropower engineering.
		2025 Vol. 44 (1): 1-17 [Abstract] ( 87 ) PDF (4298 KB) ( 239 )

	18	Sparse Bayesian learning-driven interpretable interval prediction model for dam deformation
		CHEN Siyu, GU Chongshi, SHENG Jinbao, GU Yanchang, LIN Chaoning
		DOI: 10.11660/slfdxb.20250102
		Deformation is a crucial indicator of the structural behaviors of a water dam. To address the issues of uncertainty quantification and model interpretability in dam deformation prediction, this study presents a sparse Bayesian learning (SBL)-driven model for interval prediction of dam deformation, considering both data noise and parameter uncertainty. We adopt a parallel Rao-3 algorithm and a cross-validation strategy to optimize adaptively the parameters of the kernel function, and then construct an optimized sparse Bayesian learning model that accurately captures the nonlinear relationship between the input variables (i.e. reservoir water level, temperature, and time-dependent variables) and output variables (i.e. dam displacements). For the variables that influence dam deformation, we calculate their feature importance by integrating global sensitivity analysis with this new prediction model, and gain valuable insights into the impact of feature variables on deformation prediction. A case study is made on an EDF concrete arch dam originating from the 16th International Benchmark Workshop on Numerical Analysis of Dams. The results demonstrate our prediction model outperforms the multiple linear regression statistical models, radial basis function networks, and Gaussian process regression models in terms of point prediction and interval prediction accuracy while maintaining good interpretability.
		2025 Vol. 44 (1): 18-29 [Abstract] ( 45 ) PDF (4526 KB) ( 95 )

	30	Intelligent method for binding construction process and budget estimate in hydropower projects
		PANG Xiaorong, LIU Quan, MENG Xin, LIU Jieyuan, LI Xinrui
		DOI: 10.11660/slfdxb.20250103
		Budget estimate quotas and mechanical quotas are the basis of construction resource analysis and engineering budget estimate compilation. Traditional manual binding of the process and quota is inefficient, cumbersome and error-prone. Based on establishing a quota paradigm database, this paper presents a new intelligent binding method for budget estimate quotas of construction process by using information retrieval and natural language processing technologies. For the budget estimate quotas with positive and negative relevance, a fuzzy retrieval model is developed using the morpheme segmentation of text keywords and combining Word2vec semantic analysis with inverse document frequency weights. And we construct a priori cascading search method for budget estimate quotas in response to the characteristics of hierarchical search of the quotas. Experiments show that the retrieval model achieves a recall precision of 92.29% for budget estimate quotas and 97.28% for construction machinery hourly rate quotas, and the search method reduces design man-hours significantly. Application of this binding method will be a strong support to intelligent designs in hydropower engineering.
		2025 Vol. 44 (1): 30-40 [Abstract] ( 49 ) PDF (2989 KB) ( 59 )

	41	Seismic response prediction model of asphalt concrete core sand-gravel dams and its application
		DU Min, ZHANG Sherong, WANG Chao, LU Tong
		DOI: 10.11660/slfdxb.20250104

		2025 Vol. 44 (1): 41-53 [Abstract] ( 21 ) PDF (4732 KB) ( 101 )

	54	Meso-evolution of shear bands of coarse-grained soil under triaxial loading
		WAN Hang, ZHOU Yuefeng, DENG Maolin, ZUO Yongzhen, ZHAO Yiying, WANG Lei
		DOI: 10.11660/slfdxb.20250105
		Coarse-grained soil is widely used for the fill construction of rockfill dams and exhibits macroscopic mechanical properties affected by particle movement and mesoscopic deformation. In this study, Computed Tomography (CT) triaxial tests are conducted on coarse-grained soil of weathered phyllite, combined with digital image processing techniques, to quantitatively analyze its particle movement, local deformation and failure processes under controlled loading conditions (i.e. loading rates), focusing on the macro- and micro-structural characteristics. The results indicate that Unsharp Masking (USM) sharpening and material segmentation, when used to enhance CT images, will effectively highlight the boundary characteristics of soil particles. Significant deformation differences can be observed in various regions within a specimen. Near the two ends of the specimen, deformation takes a major form of relatively uniform axial compression, while near a failure surface, it manifests as compression and lateral spreading. In shear zones, the average CT number increases first and then decreases as an evident trend, indicating strain distribution is reflected by particle movement and local deformation. For a specimen with higher confine pressure, its shear bands show a coupling of tangential dislocation and normal dilation, developing progressively along the shear surface. At an axial strain around 16%, local regions accelerate to failure. Generally, shear band formation involves the stages of compaction, initiation, expansion, and penetration.
		2025 Vol. 44 (1): 54-63 [Abstract] ( 37 ) PDF (2441 KB) ( 85 )

	64	Comparative study of inversion strategies for constitutive model parameters of materials in high core wall rockfill dams
		MIAO Mengyao, MA Gang, AI Zhitao, CHENG Xinyue, WANG Jiawei, ZHOU Wei
		DOI: 10.11660/slfdxb.20250106
		As rockfill dams advance in height from the 200-meter to 300-meter class, a coordinated control of dam deformation becomes particularly important, and their deformation behaviors are commonly assessed using parametric inversion-based finite element stress-deformation analysis. To investigate the applicability of different parametric inversion strategies to high-core-wall rockfill dams, this paper presents a comparative study of the two strategies－parametric joint inversion and decoupled inversion. We use the neural network to construct an agent model for the analysis by FEM, and adopt a population-intelligent iterative optimization algorithm to calculate the inversion of static, rheological, and humidification model parameters. Compared with the parameter joint inversion that features with less manual intervention and high efficiency, the decoupled inversion reflects more reasonably the influence of the filling and impounding process on rockfill dam deformation through a staged and zoned inverting procedure. It produces better model parameters and dam body deformation calculations in good agreement with measurements, thus achieving better effects in revealing deformation evolution and its spatial distribution trends in a dam body during filling, impounding and long-term operation.
		2025 Vol. 44 (1): 64-76 [Abstract] ( 56 ) PDF (4696 KB) ( 103 )

	77	Impact of land use changes on freshwater provision and flood regulation services in watersheds
		LIU Wenqian, LI Ping, QIAO Zixu, XIE Zhan, TANG Lihua
		DOI: 10.11660/slfdxb.20250107
		West Liao River Basin (WLRB) is a typical region that is fragile and sensitive ecologically. It is important to study the impact of its land use changes on freshwater provision and flood regulation for sustainable utilization of its water resources and ecological protection. This paper presents an analysis on the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of freshwater provision and flood regulation services in the basin in 1990-2020, using a distributed hydrological model (GBHM) developed for WLRB, in combination with an index-based ecosystem service approach. We discuss in depth the impacts of the changes in different land types－such as grassland, farmland and forest－on the two eco-hydrological service functions. The results show that in this period, overall freshwater provision services decreased significantly (P < 0.05), while flood regulation services increased significantly (P < 0.05). Both services are higher in the downstream than those in the upstream. In the period of 2005-2020, freshwater provision services in most sub-watersheds were 0% - 42% lower than those in its previous period, while flood regulation services were 0% - 73% higher than the previous values. In representative sub-watersheds, the decreases in grassland and farmland areas and the increase in forested land area resulted in a decrease in freshwater provision services, but enhanced flood regulation service functions to a certain degree.
		2025 Vol. 44 (1): 77-97 [Abstract] ( 26 ) PDF (7532 KB) ( 31 )

	98	Resilience of hydro-wind-solar multi-energy complementary system and its evaluation method
		FAN Siyang, YAN Kesheng, WANG Rongqin, REN Kang, ZHENG Xiazhong
		DOI: 10.11660/slfdxb.20250108
		As global climate change intensifies and extreme events occur more frequently, the safe and stable operation of hydro-wind-solar multi-energy complementary systems faces great challenges, necessitating a rational evaluation of the resilience of these systems under extreme event disturbances. This study first elaborates on the complementary characteristics of hydropower, wind, and solar energy, and examines the types of disturbances confronted by these integrated systems. Then, a new concept of resilience for a complementary system is discussed, and a three-stage conceptual model for resilience is developed. Based on this framework, we select monthly, seasonal, and annual timescales and specify power output thresholds for the complementary system, and formulate an evaluation index and methodology for resilience assessment based on power output loss. Finally, to evaluate the resilience, a case study is conducted on a clean energy base in the upper Yellow River. The assessment results validate the effectiveness of the evaluation index and methodology. Notably, hydropower energy demonstrates superior resilience compared to wind and solar power, and the system’s overall resilience is enhanced significantly through utilizing the complementary nature of hydropower, wind, and solar energy. This study helps decision-making for resource allocation, scheduling strategies, and safe operation of integrated hydro-wind-solar energy systems.
		2025 Vol. 44 (1): 98-110 [Abstract] ( 63 ) PDF (5247 KB) ( 89 )

	111	Tapping water supply potential of Tarim River basin based on water loss reduction and control
		BAI Tao, ZHANG Hao, HONG Liangpeng, LIU Dong
		DOI: 10.11660/slfdxb.20250109
		To address the conflicting water demands by life, production, and ecology in arid and desert regions, this study focuses on three major tributaries (the Aksu, Hotan, and Yarkand Rivers) of the Tarim River and its mainstream, where significant issues have emerged－excessive evaporation and seepage losses over the entire basin, and imbalanced water distribution between the tributaries and the mainstream. We develop simulation and optimization models for water resource allocation through coupling with the layout and adjustment of major water conservancy projects, and solve them for the years of 2018, 2025, and 2035. To address the issues above, engineering measures are explored for reduction and control of the evaporation and seepage losses in river channels and plain reservoirs. Results show that water resource allocation aimed at replacing plain reservoirs with mountain reservoirs effectively reduces evaporation and leakage losses, with an increase in water supply potential of 350 million m3 and 496 million m3 and an irrigation area increase of 31.3 thousand ha and 45.2 thousand ha in years of 2025 and 2035, respectively. This greatly alleviates the conflicts between water uses from the source streams and main stream, and helps promote regional economic and social development and implement the national food security strategy.
		2025 Vol. 44 (1): 111-123 [Abstract] ( 40 ) PDF (1358 KB) ( 59 )

	124	Optimization analysis of aerator shapes in long and mild-slope spillway tunnels
		QIN Yue, WANG Zhigang, LI Ling, CHEN Yongcan, LIU Zhaowei
		DOI: 10.11660/slfdxb.20250110
		Aerators are critical devices in preventing cavitation damage in high-velocity spillway structures. However, under the conditions of low Froude numbers and mild slopes, cavity backwater is prone to obstruct aeration holes, affecting aeration effectiveness. Therefore, introducing a flow resistance slope downstream of the aerator is considered as a measure to effectively mitigate the adverse effects of backwater. This paper develops a mathematical model for predicting the volume of water accumulation associated with varying flow resistance slopes through theoretical analysis and experimental tests on a 1:25 scale model, and examines the impact of these slopes on cavity water accumulation in mild slope spillways. This study indicates a flow resistance slope affects water accumulation in the cavity through changing the jet nappe impact angle . For a mild slope spillway, if the effect of the slope change on cavity water accumulation is considered, the cavity conditions can be categorized into three phases: overflow phase, water-blocking optimization phase, and clean cavity phase. In the experimental conditions, when both the blocking and aeration effects are taken into account, the optimal angle occurs in the water-blocking optimization phase (21% < < 41%), where a stable cavity forms under the jet and the contact between water and air is sufficiently enhanced. This study helps optimize the design of aerators on mild slope spillways under low Froude number conditions.
		2025 Vol. 44 (1): 124-134 [Abstract] ( 36 ) PDF (3469 KB) ( 60 )

	135	Analysis of vortex characteristics in S-shaped region of pump turbine based on Liutex method
		XIAO Yexiang, XIAO Wei, REN Shaocheng, CHEN Liu, LIU Zishi
		DOI: 10.11660/slfdxb.20250111
		To explore the cause of the S-shaped region of a revisable pump turbine, its full characteristics are compared with model test results. Then, we analyze the flow and vortex distribution in each of its flow components in this region using the Liutex vortex identification method, and reveal the variations in the corresponding internal flows with flow rate. We find that under the same rotational speed, flow stability in the volute is better and almost no vortices occur there. In the guide vane and runner sections, the flow is relatively uniform and has a good stability; only a small number of vortices are distributed in the vaneless section. Under the braking condition, the flow in the volute becomes more unstable and the vortices is concentrated on its outlet ring, where a large vortex is easy to develop and block the flow into the fixed guide vanes. Evident vortices and backflows are observed in the guide vane spaces, and cascade blockage is more severe in the guide vane and runner sections. In the reverse pump condition, spiral backflow occurs at the outlet of the draft tube, resulting in unsteady phenomena such as the rotating stall of water flow into the runner. Near the inlet edge of the guide vanes, part of the flow runs at a high velocity along its circumferential direction, and severe flow separation is generated with the densest vortices gathering around. In the vaneless section where the zones of great pressure gradient are possible, the vortices occupy nearly the whole flow channel. This is an operating region where the unit is easy to suffer large pressure fluctuations and even the runner could be damaged, and longtime operation in this region must be avoided.
		2025 Vol. 44 (1): 135-142 [Abstract] ( 26 ) PDF (4822 KB) ( 87 )