Nonlinear seismic response of concrete gravity dams with dam–reservoir interaction

The nonlinear seismic fracture response of concrete gravity dams is conducted when the effect of the dam–reservoir interaction is taken into account. The dam–reservoir interaction is included in the time domain analysis using the staggered solution method. Smeared crack analysis model based on a nonlinear fracture mechanics crack propagation criterion is used to study the cracking and response of the dam. Results of the analysis are compared to the case when the dam–reservoir interaction was represented by added masses. It is found that the nonlinear analysis of concrete gravity dams that includes dam–reservoir interaction gives a crack pattern that is close to the observed damage to the Sefid-rud dam during the 1990 Manjil (Iran) earthquake. The predicted crack pattern is different from that of the case when the dam–reservoir interaction is approximated using the added mass approach. It is concluded that proper modelling of the dam–reservoir interaction is important in the nonlinear response analysis of concrete gravity dams.