New method for modeling of arch dams as series of cantilever beams that rests on elastic foundations with time-domain dam-reservoir system

Abstract eng:
An arch dam is a curved dam that carries a major part of its water load horizontally to the abutments by the arch action, the part so carried being primarily dependant on the amount of curvature. The most commonly accepted method of analyzing arch dams assumes that the horizontal water load is divided between arches and cantilevers so that the arch and cantilever deflections are equal at conjugate points in all parts of the structure. In this study we used this theory and present a new method for modeling and analyzing of arch dams. In the proposed method we model the arches as a non-homogeneous elastic foundation that prevents respective cantilevers from free displacements. So we model the structure as a Nonprismatic cantilever beam resting on a continuous elastic foundation. We divide the upstream arch of mentioned beam to several straight lines so we can model the curve shape of the upstream face of the dam and we mesh the structure with new beam elements that rest on an elastic foundation. Briefly we model the arch dam as a cantilever beam resting on an elastic foundation. Also we mesh this cantilever with numerous elements that have a straight line in their upstream face side, so we can analyze the Time-Domain Dam-Reservoir system that assumes the upstream face of the dam is a straight line.

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