FEM-based parametric analysis of a typical gravity dam considering input excitation mechanism

• Parametric finite element model of a 2D gravity dam is investigated.
• Seismic failure modes of a typical concrete gravity dam are studied.
• Dynamic foundation–dam–reservoir interaction is taken into account.
• Instability of the numerical model is modeled using the smeared crack approach.
• Impact of different earthquake input mechanisms on nonlinear response of dam is studied.

This paper studies computer-aided parametric analysis on the finite element model of a typical concrete gravity dam. The coupled dam–foundation–reservoir system is modeled based on Lagrangian–Eulerian approach. The nonlinearity in the dam is originated from a developed rotating smeared crack model. Different types of input ground motions are used for excitation of the structural system, i.e. near-fault vs. far-field, real vs. artificial, and uniform vs. non-uniform. The spatial varying ground motions and endurance time acceleration functions are generated based on a non-stationary random process. Finally, results are presented in terms of displacement and crack propagation. Relative importance of different parameters is compared and an optimum numerical model is suggested for potential applications.