Abstract:To study the influence of the convex terrain in the left bank and excavation schemes on the stress-deformation characteristics of concrete slab and joints displacement of concrete face rockfill dams (CFRD), a three-dimensional nonlinear FEM analysis was conducted on a CRFD built on the foundation with local convex terrain. The distribution law of tensile stress on the concrete face was explained according to the deflection curves of concrete slab along the dam axis and the slope direction. Besides, the risk index of the concrete face cracking was proposed, which was used to evaluate the effect of excavation schemes. The results show that the convex terrain in the left side of dam has a great influence on the stress deformation of concrete slab and joints displacement. Compared with the completely excavated scheme, the convex terrain has the effect of constraint and support for rockfill materials and concrete slab in the left side of the dam, which leads to the decrease of the dam axial displacement and deflection of the concrete slab, increase of the tensile area of the concrete slab, and increase of the number of tension joints. However, the maximum tensile stress of the concrete slab, opening of the vertical joints, as well as the opening and dislocation of the peripheral joints are reduced. As the upstream side of the convex terrain excavated at the slope of 1∶1.5, the deformation coordination of the concrete can be improved. The tensile area and the number of tensile vertical joints are reduced, which can effectively reduce the risk of cracking of concrete slab.