Three-Dimensional Seepage Response and Safety Assessment of a High Concrete-Face Rockfill Dam Under Joint Waterstop Failure Scenarios

To investigate the three-dimensional seepage response and safety implications of high concrete-face rockfill dams (CFRDs) under waterstop failure scenarios, this study establishes a refined three-dimensional finite element model for a high CFRD at the JD Hydropower Station using COMSOL (version 6.1) Multiphysics. A comparative analysis is conducted for six representative scenarios, including peripheral joint failure, single vertical joint failure, overall vertical joint failure, and combined failures. The seepage safety assessment is based on the phreatic surface, seepage discharge, hydraulic gradients in key zones, and left- and right-bank abutment bypass seepage. The results show that waterstop failure significantly changes the seepage field, phreatic surface, leakage discharge, and hydraulic gradients. Among the six scenarios, S5, representing overall vertical joint failure with an aperture of 0.5 mm for each of the 41 vertical joints, produces the most unfavorable leakage response, with the total seepage discharge reaching 3010.46 L/s and the water level behind the face slab reaching 3888.23 m. In contrast, peripheral joint failure mainly induces local hydraulic-gradient concentration in the special cushion zone. Under S1, the maximum hydraulic gradient in the special cushion zone reaches 2.72, exceeding the allowable value of 0.72. The results also reveal asymmetric bypass seepage around the dam abutments, with the right-bank foundation leakage being 90.4–137.7% higher than that on the left bank. These findings clarify the distinct seepage risk mechanisms of different waterstop failures and provide support for waterstop design, construction quality control, targeted monitoring, and operation-stage safety assessment of high CFRDs.