THREE DIMENSIONAL FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF JAMRANI DAM

Abstract

The analysis of concrete gravity dams is carried out by two dimensional and the three dimensional FEM idealizations. The two dimensional idealization of a plain strain representation is the most generic approximation that can be made. The two dimensional plane stress idealization permits the evaluation of each monolith depending on its individual characteristics. The three dimensional idealization provides a very elaborate mode requiring immense computational effort and time. The objective of this dissertation is to compare and contrast the performance of two dimensional and three dimensional model of representative monolith of the Jamrani dam with respect to their performance when the dam is taken as a single entity. The studies conducted in the present context were restricted to gravity load analysis, hydrostatic analysis, free vibration characteristics and response spectrum analysis. . The results of the analysis conducted_ indicated that the two dimensional models may be used for preliminary estimates, but three dimensional model of the dam taken as an entity provides a stable basis for analytical assessment of design forces as well as performance parameters.