Abstract
This paper focuses on the development, verification and application of a three-dimensional finite element code for coupled thermal and structural analysis of roller compacted concrete arch dams. The Karun III Arch dam located on Karun River, Iran, which was originally designed as a conventional concrete arch dam, has been taken for the purpose of verification of the finite element code. In this study, RCC technology has been ascertained as an alternative method to reduce the cost of the project and make it competitive. A numerical procedure to simulate the construction process of RCC arch dams is presented. It takes into account the more relevant features of the behavior of concrete such as hydration, ageing and creep. A viscoelastic model, including ageing effects and thermal dependent properties is adopted for the concrete. The different isothermal temperature influence on creep and elastic modulus is taken into account by the maturity concept. Crack index is used to assess the occurrence of crack and evaluate the level of safety of the dam. This study demonstrates that, high tensile stress concentration has been observed at the lower part and the abutment boundaries of the dam.
Highlights
The RCC technology has being applied in gravity arch dams in the late of 1980s
− This paper presents a new comprehensive numerical procedure to simulate the construction process of arch RCC dams
Crack analysis The crack development in RCC dam due to deferent loads acting on the dam during the construction or the operation stages such as thermal load, gravity, hydrostatic load and creep, in a given time interval depends on the development of mechanical properties, especially elastic modulus and tensile strength
Summary
The RCC technology has being applied in gravity arch dams in the late of 1980s. The first RCC arch dam was constructed in the world is Kenllpoort dam, which was completed in S. Maximum tensile stress in RCC model occurs later due to operation loads comparatively with a lower value, postcooling is not necessary in RCC construction method. In these investigations a simplified relation for stress-strain relationship has been used which will overestimate the stress of the dam (Crichton et al 1999). − This paper presents a new comprehensive numerical procedure to simulate the construction process of arch RCC dams It takes into account the more relevant features of the behavior of concrete such as hydration, ageing, thermal and creep effect;. − To apply the proposed model to an actual arch RCC dam to demonstrate the efficiency of the model
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