A new boundary condition for energy radiation in covered reservoirs using BEM

In this paper, a new boundary condition accounting for energy radiation at the far end of covered reservoirs is proposed. Using boundary element modelling (BEM), the boundary condition is investigated through analysis of the hydrodynamic pressure within a two-dimensional ice-covered reservoir impounded by a gravity dam. The proposed boundary condition accounts for reservoir bottom absorption effects and the presence of an ice cover at infinity. Seismic excitation is introduced by subjecting the dam and the reservoir to a horizontal harmonic ground motion. The effectiveness of the proposed method and the accuracy of the boundary condition are examined through a parametric study. The boundary condition is shown to be accurate even when placed near the dam upstream face, and the results obtained are in excellent agreement when compared to those from a mathematical model developed by the authors in a previous work. Some fundamental aspects of hydrodynamic pressure within ice-covered reservoirs are also discussed.