Abstract: The grouting process for the foundation of earth-rock dams, including core wall rockfill dams and panel rockfill dams, is influenced by various factors such as limited cover depth, blasting operations, unloading processes, and the presence of weak rock formations. These factors often lead to challenges such as significant uplift, fracturing, and seepage during grouting operations, posing difficulties in achieving effective injection and ensuring quality, consequently jeopardizing the reservoir's normal water storage. We analyzed the key design issues such as the selection of foundation rock mass, layout of grouting corridors, arrangement of grouting holes, determination of grouting and inspection pressures. Furthermore, on the basis of specifications and engineering practice, we discussed the grouting methodologies, methods for managing external seepage, selection of blocking devices, control of uplift, and pressure augmentation strategies. Finally, we propose the method of determining curtain grouting pressure and inspection pressure, the systematic sealing and ramdom sealing for leakage, the criteria for selecting blocking devices, and the grouting control based on P-Q relation to offer reference for similar dam foundation grouting.

Key words: earth-rock dams, grouting design, construction key technology, cover weight, lifting control, curtain grouting pressure