Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Effects of Rock Layering on Dynamic Response of a Gravity Dam

  • SUNY Buffalo

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dam-foundation interaction under seismic loading remains a challenging topic. Many factors affect the dynamic response of a dam system during an earthquake. Two governing parameters include type of the foundation rock and layering of the supporting geological media. Finite element methods have been proven to be effective techniques for evaluating dam-foundation interactions. Previous finite element based studies have assessed the dynamic response of a given concrete gravity dam located on a rigid or a monolith viscoelastic half foundation. The current study presents a new finite element based numerical model developed to assess the dynamic response of an earth dam system supported by a multi-layered rock foundation during an earthquake. The Pine Flat gravity dam was adopted as a case study, and the Taft earthquake data (1952) was utilized to replicate the ground motion. The conventional Mohr-Coulomb plasticity model has been adopted for characterization of the constitutive response of the layered rock foundation system. Several case scenarios have been simulated to assess effects of rock type and layering on the dynamic response of the dam system. Various nodes have been selected on the dam crest as well as within the geological medium, in which displacements, stresses, deformations, and potential energy have been physically monitored. The most critical case scenario is identified based on which design recommendations are made.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationGeotechnical Special Publication
EditorsChristopher L. Meehan, Sanjeev Kumar, Miguel A. Pando, Joseph T. Coe
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages275-284
Number of pages10
EditionGSP 308
ISBN (Electronic)9780784482100
ISBN (Print)9780784482100
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Event8th International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering: Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics, Geo-Congress 2019 - Philadelphia, United States
Duration: Mar 24 2019Mar 27 2019

Publication series

NameGeotechnical Special Publication
NumberGSP 308
Volume2019-March
ISSN (Print)0895-0563

Conference

Conference8th International Conference on Case Histories in Geotechnical Engineering: Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics, Geo-Congress 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia
Period03/24/1903/27/19

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of Rock Layering on Dynamic Response of a Gravity Dam'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this