A Comparison Between Seismic Behaviors of Earth Dams with Inclined and Vertical Clay Cores-A Numerical Analysis Approach

Abstract eng:
A 67m high existing embankment dam with an inclined clay core (Bidvaz Dam) in Iran is analyzed numerically for the earthquake loading (the Tabas Earthquake). The analysis is repeated for the same dam, but with the assumption that the core is vertical. The analyses are carried out with FLAC computer code, which is based on the finite difference technique, and employing the Mohr Coulomb elasto plastic constitutive model to define the mechanical behaviors of the dam materials. The dams' construction loading are simulated using effective strength parameters of the dam body materials with computing pore pressure developments in the core during construction. The analysis for the earthquake loading is performed using the total strength parameters of the materials. The results of the analyses for both of the dams are carefully evaluated and compared. The main results are summarized as follows: For the pre-earthquake (end of construction) loading, the deformations developed in the dam body are comparatively larger for the dam with the inclined core, while the excess pore water pressures in the core are comparatively higher for the dam with the central core. For the earthquake loading, the deformations developed in the dam body are comparatively larger for the dam with the inclined core. Sensitivity analyses with various peak ground accelerations indicate that the dam with the inclined core is more susceptible to earthquake-induced instability.

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