Analysis of Aqueducts Subjected to Hydrostatic and Dynamic Loads Using 3D - Solid Modeling

Jitendra Singh Yadav,Sushas S Babu

doi:10.34118/jbms.v7i2.766

Abstract

In many areas of developing countries, the access to fresh water is limited even today. Aqueducts are the major structures in water supply and diversion schemes when carrying the water over natural and artificial obstacles such as valleys, rivers, roads, railway lines, canals etc. During an earthquake, the effect of water sloshing on the walls of aqueduct and the resulting hydrodynamic forces is often neglected. In this study, the analysis is carried out for a single span elevated aqueduct using finite element analysis, in which the structure is discretized into smaller elements. The structure is modelled using solid elements in Staad Pro V8i software for different loads. The behavioral response of aqueduct structure subjected to hydrostatic loads and dynamic loads due to seismic ground excitation has been analyzed. It has been observed that the structure is more vulnerable to dynamic loads compared to hydrostatic loads. The effect of dynamic loads due to sloshing of water under seismic forces is predominant. The stresses induced by hydrodynamic loads are observed to be 2.4 times more than hydrostatic loads.

Highlights

The supply of adequate fresh potable water is one the most important requirements for any community
The bottom tie beams are subjected to negative bending moment and the walls were found to be deflecting apart due to lateral hydrostatic forces
The tie beams at top prove to be a necessary element for the overall performance of the large aqueduct structure

Summary

Introduction

The supply of adequate fresh potable water is one the most important requirements for any community. An aqueduct is a cross drainage structure which is constructed to convey water over an obstacle such as natural streams, valleys etc. Aqueducts have been important for the supply of water to areas with limited direct access to freshwater sources. They form a component of systems that run for very long distances through different terrains from the source to distribution point. They serve as bridge for conveying water and it can be used for other purposes like Foot Bridge which help people to cross the valley in remote places (Wu et al, 2006)

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Conclusion