Hydroelastic model study on flow induced vibration of a high arch dam

This paper demonstrates how the use of hydroelastic scale model experiments can effectively be used to evaluate the dynamic performance of a high arch dam. For this purpose, a 1:150 scale hydroelastic model of Goupitan high arch dam is first made from a kind of heavy rubber in laboratory based on the similitude requirements of both hydraulics and structural dynamics between model and prototype dams. Both dry and wet modes of the dam are then extracted from the model, the effects of reservoir water, structural and hydraulic boundary conditions on dynamic properties of the dam are also evaluated through modal experiment results. Thirdly, the flow induced vibration responses are measured under several operational conditions and the characteristics of vibration resources analyzed. Dam safety during overflow is finally assessed in terms of the model test results. The studied results clearly show that the 1:150 scale hydroelastic model of Goupitan arch dam is a successful physical model with good properties in structural dynamics, geological dynamics and hydrodynamics. It can effectively reproduce the vibration conditions of high arch dam in the prototype and can be used to investigate the dynamic characteristics of a high arch dam during flood discharges.