Earthquake Response of Large Arch Dams Observational Evidence and Numerical Modelling

Abstract eng:
This paper summarizes a decade of research on the earthquake behavior of large arch dams in Switzerland. This research is based on a network of strong motion instruments located on several large concrete dams including some of the tallest in the world. The accelerograph network was implemented by the Division of Dam Safety in the early to mid 90s. It is being maintained by the Swiss seismological service and has recorded several low to moderate seismic events that occurred in the vicinity of the instrumented dams. In parallel, on-site ambient and forced-vibrations tests were completed on selected arch dams. Brief details of the experimental program are reviewed and the use of the large database is presented. Data obtained from the specific on-site experiments were used to develop state-of-the-art three-dimensional finite-element models for the dam-reservoir-foundation systems. As data was collected during different periods in the year, the effects of the variation of the impounded water level on the dynamic properties were evaluated and quantified. Key parameters for the models were calibrated based on the experimental dynamic properties. Using both massless and energy-dissipating foundation models, free-field acceleration recordings of the various events were used as inputs to the numerical models and the computed motions of the dam were compared to the actual recordings. Possible sources of damping required to corroborate with the recorded motions were investigated. Motion recorded at the foundation and along the abutments as well as results obtained from the numerical study indicate that multiple support excitation plays a key role in the earthquake response of large arch dams.

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