Analysis framework for the seismic performance of a concrete high-arch dam considering the incident direction and oblique incident angle of near-fault SV-waves

Abstract

This study aims to develop an analytical framework to assess the seismic performance of high-arch dams by considering the incident direction and input angle of near-fault (NF) seismic waves. Based on this comprehensive analysis framework, we aim to accomplish the following objectives: (1) Comparison of the discrepancies in the variability of dynamic indices with increasing incident angles along different incident directions of seismic waves; (2) Estimation of the global damage responses based on the seismic characteristic parameters and incident angles; and (3) Assessment of the influences of the impulsive characteristics of NF earthquake waves with different incident directions on the correlations between the response indices. To this end, the effects of the incident direction and incident angle of NF SV-waves (including pulse-like waves and non-pulse-like waves) on the nonlinear responses and correlation of dynamic indicators of arch dams were investigated. The simulation results revealed that the changing pattern of the dynamic behavior of the dam with the incident angle differed significantly along the different incident directions of NF SV-waves. The peak ground velocity/peak ground acceleration was found to have a good correlation with the overall damage volume ratio. Further, along various input directions of NF SV-waves, the damage index was found to have a strong positive correlation with the upstream center joint opening, whereas the degree of correlation between the damage and displacement indices was not reduced owing to the impulsive characteristics of NF SV-waves. Finally, a two-variable damage model that considered both the input angle and seismic characteristic parameters was established and used to roughly predict the global damage index of the dam.