Few of the previous methods for generating finite element meshes for earth-rockfill dams have taken into account material zoning

construction phasing

and the requirements for horizontal layering during filling

but they are essential for accurate simulations. Manual mesh generation is labor-intensive and time-consuming

resulting in variable quality and poorly formed elements. This paper presents a novel method that considers material zoning and phased filling for mesh generation. It is based on manual processing and initially involves horizontal layering and vertical partitioning of the dam's maximum cross-section to create regular grids with controllable segmentation scales. Then

based on node classification and numbering

it refines regular grids into three-node or four-node planar elements through implementing several new techniques

such as node migration

element identification

merging

collapsing

and splitting. Our FEM code developed using this method is efficient in generating two-dimensional high-quality finite element meshes for the maximum cross-section of the Jiangpinghe dam

and has a potential to extend to three-dimensional mesh generation.