Pressure Distributions of Landslide-Generated Impulse Waves on a Dam Surface: A Case Study of the Gushui Hydropower Project

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To evaluate the safety of dams under the impact of landslide-generated impulse waves, it is necessary to analyze the loading of wave pressure acting on the dam. Based on a large-scale three-dimensional prototype physical model, 15 scenarios are tested, with sliding velocity, slide volume, and initial water depth as variables. The experimental results indicate that wave pressure increases with sliding velocity and slide volume but decreases with initial water depth. The wave pressure is pulsating and periodic, with the highest amplitude occurring at the arrival of the first wave train, then decreasing over time. The attenuation rate of wave pressure amplitudes varies from the bottom to the top of the water depth. Around the water surface, the wave pressure amplitude attenuates fast, while it attenuates more slowly near the bottom of the dam, due to the stronger turbulence at the water surface than at deeper locations. The maximum wave pressure is observed near the water surface, rapidly decreasing to zero above the water surface, but remaining relatively consistent in amplitude along the depth below. The distribution models are proposed for overtopping and nonovertopping conditions, with a triangular distribution above and a uniform distribution below the static water level. A formula for calculating the maximum wave pressure on the dam is derived, showing good agreement between predicted and experimental values. This study’s findings help us further understand the impact mechanism of the impulse waves induced by the potential failure of the Meilishi landslide, and support tsunami hazard assessment in Gushui reservoir environments in general.