Numerical modelling of dynamic stability of RCC dam

Abstract

Stability and stress analyses are the most important elements that require rigorous consideration in design of a dam structure. In the current research, dynamic structural stability of a roller-compacted-concrete (RCC) dam was performed. The RCC dam was modeled using the finite element method to investigate the stability against sliding and the structural stability of the body of the dam. The commercially available finite element software (SAP 2000) was used to analyze stresses in the body of the dam and foundation. A linear finite element dynamic analysis was performed. Response spectrum and time history methods were used with different earthquake loads. The response spectrum of the 1995 Aqaba earthquake and a representative elastic-spectrum with smooth plateau for both Operating Basis Earthquake (OBE) and Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) were used in this study. The analysis was carried out assuming that no slip will occur at the interface between the dam and the foundation. The greatest tension was found to develop in the rock adjacent to the toe of the upstream slope. The factor of safety against sliding along the entire base of the dam was found to be greater than 1 (FS>1), for both loading conditions.