A comparative study of the different procedures for seismic cracking analysis of concrete dams

Different procedures are compared for the three-dimensional seismic cracking analysis of gravity and arch dams during strong earthquakes. The fracture procedures include the extended finite element method with cohesive constitutive relations, crack band finite element method with plastic-damage relations, and the finite element Drucker−Prager elasto-plastic model. These procedures are used to analyze the nonlinear dynamic response of Koyna dam to the 1967 Koyna earthquake and the seismic cracking of the Dagangshan arch dam subjected to design earthquake. The cracking process and profiles of the two dams using the three different procedures are compared. The applicability and the suitability of the three procedures for seismic cracking analysis of gravity and arch dams are discussed.

► 3D seismic cracking analyses of concrete dams are presented using three procedures.
► Seismic cracking behaviors of Koyna dam and Dagangshan arch dam are analyzed.
► Cracking process and profiles of the two dams are compared.
► A model test of Dagangshan arch dam is also included for comparison.
► Applicability of the procedures for seismic cracking analysis of dams is discussed.