Estimation of stochastic nonlinear dynamic response of rock-fill dams with uncertain material parameters for non-stationary random seismic excitation

This research investigates the effect of uncertain material parameters on the stochastic, dynamic response of a rock-fill dam-foundation system subjected to non-stationary random excitation. The uncertain material parameter of particular interest is the shear modulus, developed from a lognormal distribution model. The stochastic seismic response model of the dam-foundation system, with uncertain material parameters and subjected to random loads is the result of a Monte Carlo simulation method. The nonlinear behavior model arises from an equivalent linear method, which considers the nonlinear variation of soil shear modulus and soil damping as a function of shear strain. Specification of the non-stationary stochastic process arises from a simulation method, which generates artificial earthquake accelerograms obtained from the product of a deterministic function of time and a stationary process. The artificial earthquake ground acceleration records reflect the characteristics of soft, medium and firm soil types. Comparison of the numerical results from these approaches provides stochasticity in earthquake seismic excitation and randomness in material parameter (shear modulus) cases. Further, the results indicate that both these cases generally influence the nonlinear dynamic response of rock-fill dams to a non-stationary seismic excitation.     

Dynamic Characteristics of a Prototype Arch Dam

This study determines the dynamic characteristics of a prototype arch dam-reservoir-foundation system using Operational Modal Analysis method. Achievement of this purpose involved construction of a prototype arch dam-reservoir-foundation system under laboratory conditions. Ambient vibration tests on the arch dam model identified its natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios. Natural excitations such as small impact loads vibrated to arch dam. Sensitivity accelerometers which were placed on the dam’s crest collected signals in measurements. Measurements were recorded for empty and full reservoirs. Operational Modal Analysis software processed signals which were collected from the ambient vibration tests. Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition technique estimated dynamic characteristics of the dam. Results showed that there was an approximate 20–25% difference between natural frequencies related to empty and full reservoirs.     

The effect of concrete slab–rockfill interface behavior on the earthquake performance of a CFR dam

Earthquake response of the concrete slab is mostly depended upon its conjunction with rockfill. This study aims to reveal the effect of concrete slab–rockfill interface behavior on the earthquake performance of a concrete-faced rockfill dam considering friction contact and welded contact. Friction contact is provided by using interface elements with five numbers of shear stiffness values. 2D finite element model of Torul concrete-faced rockfill dam is used for this purpose. Linear and materially non-linear time-history analyses considering dam–reservoir interaction are performed using ANSYS. Reservoir water is modeled using fluid finite elements by the Lagrangian approach. The Drucker–Prager model is preferred for concrete slab and rockfill in non-linear analyses. Horizontal component of 1992 Erzincan earthquake with peak ground acceleration of 0.515g is used in analyses. The maximum and minimum displacements and principal stresses are shown by the height of the concrete slab and earthquake performance of the dam is investigated considering different joint conditions for empty and full reservoir cases. In addition, potential damage situations of concrete slab are evaluated.