Advanced Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Arch Dams considering Joints Effects

Influence of joints behavior on arch dams operation during the earthquakes is investigated. The case study is the Karun-1 double curvature arch dam with the height of 200？meters. The arch dam-foundation-reservoir systems are modeled with and without joints and estimate the effects of contraction and lift joints on stresses and displacements response histories for assessing the earthquake performance. According to nolinear dynamical analysis results, inclusion of the contraction and lift joints considerably influenced the dam response. 1. Introduction The finite element method (FEM) is a numerical method that can be used to solve different kinds of engineering problems in the stable, transient, linear, and nonlinear cases [1]. Among finite element method software programs, ABAQUS is known as one of the most precise and practicable software programs in industry and academic researches. It is used for high capability to advance nonlinear dynamic analysis such as earthquake and water wave loading on structures [2]. An arch dam is a solid concrete dam, curved upstream in plan. In addition to resisting part of the pressure of the reservoir by its own weight, it obtains a large measure of stability by transmitting the remainder of the water pressure and dynamic loads by arch action into the canyon walls. The complete necessity of high safety, economical design, complex of designing, and its application increases the importance of arch dams. Successful arch action is dependent on a unified monolithic structure and a special care must be taken in the construction of an arch dam to ensure that no structural discontinuities exist, such as open joints or cracks. By noting that one of the important parameters in dam construction projects is the earthquake, therefore, to protect against human loss or economic damages, it is necessary to have a dynamical analysis for this massive structure. Providing the safety of arc against earthquake has been noticed by many researchers and engineers. National information service for earthquake engineering (NISEE) in Berkley university is one of the most reliable centers that has a lot of scientific reports about the discussed subject. It can be noted that dynamic reservoir interaction with Monticello dam was studied by Clough et al. [3] and Study of joint opening effects on earthquake response of arch dams was done by Fenves et al. [4]. Sheng et al. [5] studied the effects of contraction joints on earthquake response of the arch dams. ？ger and Seydou [6] presented the hybrid dam displacement model to simulate the seasonal thermal