Assessment of potential-based fluid finite elements for seismic analysis of dam–reservoir systems

This paper assesses the use of a potential-based fluid finite element formulation to investigate earthquake excited dam–reservoir systems. The mathematical background of the analytical and numerical techniques is presented in a unified format. Frequency and time-domain analyses are conducted to validate the potential-based finite element formulation. A case study of a typical dam–reservoir system subjected to earthquake loading is presented. The dynamic response of the system is discussed to illustrate the effects of fluid–structure interaction and reservoir bottom absorption. The validated potential-based fluid elements and boundary conditions are shown to perform adequately for practical seismic analysis of dam–reservoir systems.