Steady-state and transient dynamic visco-elastic response of concrete and earth dams due to dam-reservoir interaction

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of dam–reservoir interaction on the dynamic response of dams. Both thin rectangular concrete cantilever and large trapezoidal earth dams are considered with empty and full reservoir. It has recently been shown by Pelecanos et al. [32] that the amplification of accelerations at the crest of the dam depends on the combinations of the frequency of the harmonic acceleration load and the fundamental frequencies of the dam and the reservoir. This study considers transient dynamic loading and selected scenarios of different combinations of the above-mentioned frequencies are examined under random seismic acceleration load. It is shown that for certain cases the amplification of accelerations of the dam can be affected by the presence of the upstream reservoir. In general, thin rectangular concrete cantilever dams are found to be considerably more sensitive to dam–reservoir interaction than large trapezoidal earth dams. Therefore, this investigation examines the significance of dam–reservoir interaction and when this interaction should be taken into consideration or it could be neglected