NONLINEAR SEISMIC ANALYSIS OF A HIGH CONCRETE GRAVITY DAM

Abstract

The dams are very important structures. Seismic safety of dam is very important as failure of such dam can cause havoc in the downstream. The main objective of this study is to study the stresses and displacements in the high concrete gravity dam under seismic loads and there of safety of dam. In the present work concrete gravity dam with foundation has been considered in two ways i.e., dam with linear and nonlinear material properties. The 2D modelling and analyses of the dam has been done using finite element software ABAQUS v6.7. Damage detection work in dam is also carried out due to a simulated earthquake. It was observed that stress concentration is more at heel and upstream slope change positions, so damage is also found to be more at these locations. Mesh size effect on damage detection is carried out. Seismic response of high concrete gravity dam for linear and nonlinear material effect is also studied. Concrete damage plasticity model and its application to the dam problem is discussed. Comparison of seismic responses of dam for different ground excitations is also present. Based on the study conclusions are made.