Developing a Smeared Crack Model for Nonlinear Seismic Analysis of Arch and Gravity Dams

In the present paper a new smeared crack model has been developed to investigate nonlinear seismic behavior of mass concrete in three-dimensionalspace. In the present model the concrete material is able to crack in three orthogonal directions, considering the variable shear transfer coefficientduring applying the dynamic loads. In this model shear transfer coefficient is updated in each step of dynamic analysis, with respect to overall condition ofelement, considering magnitude and direction of principal strains. The updated shear transfer coefficient is applied to element in next step. An arch dam, and agravity dam were selected as case studies and finite element model of damreservoir- foundation coupled systems were provided based on commonassumptions for such structures. William-Waranke five-parameter failure criterion was used, as one of the most accurate failure criteria for concretecracking under multi-axial stress state. Results were compared for constant and variable shear transfer coefficient models. It was concluded that althoughusing variable shear transfer coefficient leads to some differences in total crack profile and also principal stresses with dam body, the general templates are similar to each other.

Keywords:

Arch dam , Gravity dam , smeared crack model , nonlinear seismic analysis