Experimental justification of the stability of the floating unit

Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Moscow, Russia

^* Corresponding author: zimnyukov@rgau-msha.ru

Abstract

One of the main tasks arising when installing a floating hydroelectric power unit on a foundation without preliminary excavation is a thorough justification of the shear stability and bearing capacity of the "floating hydroelectric power unit - foundation" system on a complex geological massif. Failure to take into account these factors can lead to serious consequences during the landing of the structure in the target and further operation. It should be emphasized that this problem still includes a number of difficulties and does not always allow obtaining exact solutions in a volumetric setting. Based on the selection of a wide range of model materials, bases of various capacities were modelled for four models. In this case, the shear real characteristics of alluvial soils and their change after reinforcing cementation were taken into account. The studies were carried out on 4 models under static loads with bringing them to destruction. The models reproduced the real geological conditions at the base of the block, simulated deformation, and shear characteristics. Indicator diagrams of displacements, damage patterns, and generalized safety factors for bearing capacity were obtained. Model tests have shown that reinforcing cementation reduces not only the values of horizontal and vertical displacements of structures but also leads to a significant increase in the safety factor.