The effect of concrete slab–rockfill interface behavior on the earthquake performance of a CFR dam

Earthquake response of the concrete slab is mostly depended upon its conjunction with rockfill. This study aims to reveal the effect of concrete slab–rockfill interface behavior on the earthquake performance of a concrete-faced rockfill dam considering friction contact and welded contact. Friction contact is provided by using interface elements with five numbers of shear stiffness values. 2D finite element model of Torul concrete-faced rockfill dam is used for this purpose. Linear and materially non-linear time-history analyses considering dam–reservoir interaction are performed using ANSYS. Reservoir water is modeled using fluid finite elements by the Lagrangian approach. The Drucker–Prager model is preferred for concrete slab and rockfill in non-linear analyses. Horizontal component of 1992 Erzincan earthquake with peak ground acceleration of 0.515g is used in analyses. The maximum and minimum displacements and principal stresses are shown by the height of the concrete slab and earthquake performance of the dam is investigated considering different joint conditions for empty and full reservoir cases. In addition, potential damage situations of concrete slab are evaluated.