AAR and Solar Radiation Effects on Long Term Structural Performance of Concrete Arch Dams

In this paper, effects of solar radiation along with the deteriorative effect, Alkali-Aggregate Reaction (AAR) are considered on the structural behavior of concrete arch dams. Modelling the real boundary conditions, first of all two transient thermal analyses are conducted for attaining the internal nodal temperatures. Solar radiation effect is included in one of the mentioned analyses. A numerical computer program is developed for simulating AAR during the structural analyses based on Finite Element Method. Attaining the first and second order structural responses for a generic high concrete arch dam, it is inferred that AAR and solar radiation, both can severely affect the structural responses of the considered dam during its long life. Although the effects of AAR is more intensive especially when stresses are assessed over the dam body.

Keywords:

Alkali-Aggregate-Reaction , Concrete Arch Dams , Finite Element Method , Solar radiation effects , Transient Analysis