Crucial technologies in the design of Xiluodu Super High Arch Dam

Some super high arch dams (SHADs), like Xiluodu Arch Dam, after their heights reaching the magnitude of 300 m, confront lots of technical challenges in design and construction. Several crucial technologies of 6 SHADs will be reviewed and discussed in this and consecutive papers, including Xiluodu, Jinping I in China, Baktiary in Iran, etc., on the topics of the research method, criterion for evaluation and engineering application of dam safety analysis and evaluation, reasonable dam base interface, dam shape optimization, comprehensive treatments of complex foundation, anti-seismic engineering, dam construction material, concrete placement and temperature control, instrumentation and monitoring of dam operation, etc. This paper will mainly focus on the overall safety of SHADs, reasonable dam base interface analysis and evaluation and their engineering application.