Thermodynamic Analysis of Coupled Seepage and Thermal Conduction Effects in Earth-Rock Dams.

The stability of earth-rock dams is a critical factor in hydraulic engineering, directly impacting the safety of reservoirs and downstream regions. Seepage and thermal conduction, key physical processes influencing dam stability, are typically studied independently. However, as environmental changes become increasingly significant, the interaction between these processes--the coupling effect--cannot be overlooked. This paper delves into the coupled effects of seepage and thermal conduction in earth-rock dams, initially establishing a coupled control equation for the seepage and temperature fields. Subsequently, a numerical model for the seepage process under thermal conduction coupling effects is developed. Through precise simulation, this study aims to enhance the predictive capability of dam behavior under various environmental conditions, thereby providing a scientific basis for dam design and maintenance. The research identifies that existing models often neglect the impact of temperature on seepage characteristics and exhibit biases in parameter selection and boundary condition settings, leading to inaccurate simulations of dam behavior in complex environments. Therefore, the numerical model in this study, considering key parameters such as convective heat transfer coefficients, offers a more comprehensive assessment of the stability and functionality of earth-rock dams in real-world conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]