Type Selection between Arch Dam and Gravity Dam Based on Construction Simulation: A Case Study

The issue of dam type selection is a prevalent challenge in water resource allocation engineering. The site of the Y2 dam in China is suitable for building concrete arch dams and roller-compacted concrete (RCC) gravity dams. To determine which dam type is better in terms of construction progress, this paper proposes a multiattribute decision-making method based on construction simulation. First, the construction characteristics of concrete dams are analyzed, and the construction simulation systems for arch dams and gravity dams are developed based on construction simulation theory. Then, for each dam type, the initial construction schemes are used as the input of the simulation systems, and attribute values of construction progress are output. Secondly, a multiattribute decision-making method is used to select the typical scheme of each dam type from these initial schemes. Finally, the simulation results of the typical schemes for the arch dam and the RCC gravity dam are compared, to determine the optimal dam type for the Y2 dam. The results show that for the Y2 dam, the construction period of the arch dam is 34 months, and that of the RCC gravity dam is 28 months. From the perspective of construction progress, the Y2 dam type should select the RCC gravity dam. Compared with similar dams that have been built, it is concluded that the simulated progress result conforms to the current actual construction level, which also verifies the correctness of the calculation results and the reliability of the construction simulation.