STRESSES IN LAYERED HALF PLANE BELOW GRAVITY DAM-REVIEW AND ANALYTICAL STUDY

Abstract

A comprehensive review has been given for the work done by different questers for finding the elastic stress distribution in layered half plane loaded normal to the boundary both for plane stress and plane strain conditions. The problem becomes complicated when the loading consists of a hydraulic structure like a dam on a layered foundation system with various permutations of layered thickness and elastic constants. Finite element technique has been applied in solving the problem. A computer programme. was developed for IBM 701.)+ and results were obtained. These have been plotted and analysed. Studies show that the stresses in the case of layered foundation reach to a greater depth as compared to the normal isotropic and homogeneous foundation. Also the stress magnitude are 25 to 50% higher than in the normal foundation. Curves have been given for different case studies which can be utilised by the field and design engineers for evaluating stresses in dam under similar circumstances.