Cracking development prediction in concrete gravity dams considering the effect of reservoir and foundation

Dams are often subjected to earthquakes due to their localization in seismic zones. So, their behavior must be studied carefully. dynamic analysis of a concrete gravity dam is a complex problem since The response of a dam subjected to dynamic loading is a combined effect of the interaction among dam, reservoir and foundation systems. The study is conducted using a non-linear analysis for finite element model. The profile of the Koyna dam has been adopted for the study of this investigation. Nonlinear concrete properties have been taken into account through concrete damaged plasticity model to simulate the damage induced in the dam body under a real-time earthquake motion. The study indicates that tensile damage and stiffness degradation of the dam structure occurred during the earthquake motion.

Keywords:

concrete gravity dam , crack prediction , effect of reservoir and foundation , damage plasticity model , concrete fracture mechanic , koyna dam , koyna earthquake