Stochastic seismic response of Keban dam by the finite element method

Abstract

In this study, stochastic seismic response of a rock-fill dam is investigated by finite element method. The Keban dam constructed in Elazığ, Turkey is chosen as a numerical example. The interaction of the rock-fill dam with the reservoir is neglected, but not the foundation rock. The properties of the dam materials were taken from the dam project and assumed to be linearly elastic, homogenous and isotropic in the analysis. A stationary and ergodicity assumption are is made for stochastic seismic analysis. The E–W component of the Erzincan Earthquake recorded on March 13, 1992, Erzincan, Turkey is chosen as a ground motion since it occurred nearby the dam site. The component considered is applied to the dam in the horizontal direction. The seismic response of the Keban dam subjected to the Erzincan Earthquake is also obtained by the deterministic method. The results obtained from stochastic and deterministic analysis are compared to each other. It is seen that the results obtained from the stochastic analysis are smaller than those from the deterministic analysis.