Abstract: In water-filled rubber dams, air often accumulates at the top of the dam bag following water filling, which is challenging to completely remove. Similarly, when the rubber dam collapses and discharges water, residual tailwater frequently remains at the bottom of the dam bag, resisting complete discharge. To tackle these common problems, a system for efficiently pumping and discharging accumulated air and tailwater in rubber dams has been developed. Based on an analysis of the underlying causes and potential consequences of these problems, this paper introduces conceptual design principles and methodologies for the pumping and discharging pipeline, power device, and control system. Through verification via typical application examples, it has been demonstrated that this system effectively mitigates faults caused by accumulated air and tailwater along with associated challenges, and also ensures the rubber dam impounds at maximum water level and discharges at maximum discharge section. This innovation offers valuable insights for the meticulous design of rubber dam projects and the enhancement of traditional design approaches.

Key words: rubber dam, accumulated air, tailwater, pumping and drainage system, fault analysis, operation management, structural design