Observations from the calibration of an arch dam model using ambient modal properties

Author(s): R. Makha & P. Moyo
Paper category: Conference
Book title: Concrete Repair, Rehabilitation and Retrofitting III (ICCRRR)
Editor(s): M.G. Alexander, H.-D. Beushausen, F. Dehn, P. Moyo
Print ISBN: 978-0-415-89952-9
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Pages: 235 - 236
Total Pages: 2
Language: English

Abstract: 
The Westergaard method was used to represent the ambient dynamic action of the water body and the dam wall on an arch dam finite element model. This study follows the measurement of the modal properties of the actual dam using the ambient vibration testing technique. After the effects of diverging dam reservoir walls, finite reservoir, upstream curvature and flexibility of the dam wall were
considered, good correlation was achieved between analytical results and the experimental ones. These factors were ignored in the derivation of the original Westergaard method. Despite that the method was derived for use in the seismic safety analysis of gravity dams where large deformations are expected, the small deformations assumption was made which justified the ignoring of the water compressibility. Conversely, in the ambient dynamic behaviour of dams, deformations are generally small hence water compressibility can be neglected. It is in such cases where it is proposed that the Westergaard method can effectively represent the dam-water interaction provided factors such diverging reservoir walls effects are included.

Online publication: 2014
Publication Type: abstract_only
Public price (Euros): 0.00