SEISMIC RESPONSE OF CONCRETE GRAVITY DAMS INCLUDING WATER-DAM-SEDIMENT-FOUNDATION INTERACTION

Using the finite and infinite element coupled method, an investigation into the effect of reservoir bottom sediment on the seismic response of concrete gravity dams has been carried out in this paper. From the related numerical results, it has been concluded that: (1) the finite and infinite element coupled method is more suitable for the seismic analysis of a concrete gravity dam; (2) the reservoir bottom sediment has a significant effect on the seismic response of concrete gravity dams; (3) the neglect of the reservoir bottom sediment in the analysis may be conservative for seismic SV-wave vertical incidences, but it is very dangerous for P-wave vertical incidences.