Shaking Table Test and Numerical Simulation Study of the Reinforcement Strengthening of a Dam

This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations of the seismic failure of the reinforced and unreinforced monoliths of the Huangdeng concrete gravity dam. To verify the scale factors, we use suitable materials (emulation concrete material and fine alloy wire) to simulate the dam concrete and the steel reinforcement (SR) in a scaled experiment model that includes the water-retaining monolith and overflow monolith of the dam. We design shaking table model tests based on the similarity laws and perform nonlinear numerical simulations of damage to the dam. By comparing the numerical simulation with the experimental results, the intervals for peak acceleration, in which microcracks appear and macrocracks rapidly expand, are obtained. The modal and damage distribution results verify the proposed design method for the scaled experimental model with SR. By analyzing the results, we reveal the crack resistance mechanism of SR. This research provides a rational foundation for further study of the similarity laws for reinforced dams.