Modeling the structural response of a dam to earthquake induced dynamic stresses

Other conference contribution, 2021

The structural response of a dam to an earthquake with a dominant horizontal ground acceleration was modeled using three techniques: static structural analysis, one- and two-way coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) modeling approaches. The aim was to investigate how the choice of method affects the peak total deformation, the principal stresses, and the maximum shear stresses within the dam body. Overall, the two-way FSI model predicted large deformations that linearly increased with time, while the other models predicted minor deformations. This may be due to the two-way FSI model accurately representing the FSI in the vicinity of the dam. The peak stresses predicted by all models had different magnitudes, but were all within the allowable compressive and tensile stress limits of the Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) structure.