Stress and Safety Factor Analysis in Concrete Arch-gravity Dams using FEM and USBR Instruction, Case Study: Dam of Karun-4

Arch-gravity dams are structures that have both specification of gravity and arch term. In order to reaching the high safety factor, analysis of these dams for types of loading should be according to convenient criteria. In this research, the concrete arch-gravity is modeled and analyzed by FEM (Finite Element Method) using SAP2000 program in real and broad dimension, and then the results, stresses and safety factors, are compared with the calculations of USBR instruction. In this regard, concrete arch-gravity dam of Karun-4 as a real case has been investigated by two method, and then the stress and safety factor results are compared. The findings of the paper are: First, the safety factors that produced by FEM and USBR (United States Bureau of Reclamation) are allowable, but USBR results are outside of the reality. Second, the stresses that created by FEM are more convenient and near to the reality in comparison to USBR calculations.

Keywords:

Dam , Arch-gravity , FEM , USBR , SAP2000