Dynamic analysis of a concrete dam by Spectral finite element method

Dynamic analysis can be classified into two different cases, one involving low frequency loading and the other involving high frequency loading. Low frequency problems are categorized as Structural Dynamics problems while those involving high frequency loading fall into the category of Wave Propagation problems. Dynamic analyses are traditionally performed using the conventional Finite Element Method (FEM)The Spectral Finite Element Method SFEM) is numerical method developed from the Fourier Transform based method that uses Jacobi polynomials as interpolation functions. SFEM can be efficient method for wave propagation problems; however its efficiency is less mentioned for structural dynamics especially in the case of large scale structures.In this paper dynamic analysis of a concrete gravity dam is performed by FEM and SFEM and efficiency and accuracy of two methods are discussed

Keywords:

spectral finite element , dynamic analysis , finite element , gaussian quadrature