Mechnical Characteristic Analysis of Separate Lock Chambers

This paper simulates the separate lock with shear keys or with flat joints under different design conditions using the ANSYS programme, analyze the mechanical effect of the shear keys. The variation law of the joint opening，the vertical displacement and foundation stress of lock chamber in different working condition are investigated. The research shows that the joint opening is biggest under high water-level condition, but simultaneously, the influences of shear keys on the lock chamber structures is small. The vertical displacement and foundation stress of separate lock chamber with trapezoidal shear keys or with flat joints show the similar variation law. Under overhaul condition and built up lock chamber condition, the joint opening of lock with shear keys is smaller than that of lock with flat joints. Under the same conditions, the biggest vertical displacement of the lock with shear keys is smaller than that of lock with flat joints, and the foundation stress distribution of the former is more uniform.