INFLUENCE OF RESERVOIR WATER LEVELS ON FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY OF GRAVITY DAMS

Abstract

In this thesis the Westergaard's concept of added mass as used by many investigators to find out the fundamental frequency of reservoir-dam systems has been studied. No literature at present is available to find out the fundamental frequency of the structures having water on both the faces and there is difference in the water levels also. Model testing has been carried out in the laboratory to study the change in fundamental frequency with water level. It is observed that the Westergaard's concept of added mass can not be used to determine the fundamental frequency accurately. It is also found that the fundamental period greately depends upon the depth-of water. Observations have also been made on a prototype dam to study the influence of waterlevel on fundamental frequency and the same is also reported here.