Dynamic Response of Concrete Dams

Dams are constructed to serve a variety of purposes such as supply of drinking and irrigation water, generation of electric power, flood protection. During this century, increasing numbers of concrete dams have been constructed, and more are expected to be built, in seismic regions. Sooner or later these dams will be exposed to major earthquakes in addition to the usual sources of potential damage. Because millions of people live in the floodplains downstream of these dams, it is essential that increasing attention be given to the earthquake safety of these structures. Dynamic response of concrete dams including dam-water-foundation rock interaction subject to earthquake loading is the main of the study. In this study, first the concrete dam-water-foundation rock system has been simulated using the finite element method. Then dynamic analysis of dam-water-foundation rock system is performed. The results of the seismic response for dam-water-foundation model have also been discussed.