The static analysis of arch dam-foundation system by using scaled boundary finite element method

Abstract

The scaled boundary finite element (SBFEM) as a semi-analytical numerical method has been used in many fields. SBFEM has the following advantages: reducing the spatial dimension by one, rigorously modelling the unbounded domain and involving no fundamental solution. The computational model based on SBFEM will be conducive to the reliability and efficiency of safety evaluation of arch dam. However, owing to the requirement of scaling inherently, the SBFEM cannot be immediately applied in the analysis of arch dam which belongs to irregular shell structure. This limitation can be overcome by employing the sub-structure method to subdivide the arch dam into several sub-structures which satisfy the scaling requirement. An example of static analysis of the arch dam-foundation system is presented to verify the effectiveness of the SBFEM sub-structure method. The result is helpful to establish the calculating model of arch dam-reservoir-foundation system based on scaled boundary finite element method.