Non-linear seismic response of concrete gravity dams to near-fault ground motions including dam-water-sediment-foundation interaction

This study focuses on non-linear seismic response of a concrete gravity dam subjected to near-fault and far-fault ground motions including dam-water-sediment-foundation rock interaction. The elasto-plastic behavior of the dam concrete is idealized using Drucker–Prager yield criterion based on associated flow rule assumption. Water in the reservoir is represented by 9-noded isoparametric quadrilateral fluid finite elements while the dam, the foundation rock and the sediment layer are modeled by using 8-noded isoparametric quadrilateral solid finite elements. The program NONSAP modified for elasto-plastic analysis of fluid-structure systems using the Lagrangian fluid finite element is employed in the response calculations. The fluid element includes the effects of surface waves and sloshing behavior of fluids. Non-linear seismic analyses of the selected concrete dam subjected to both near-fault and far-fault ground motions are performed. The results obtained from linear and non-linear analyses are compared with each other.