Uncertainty quantification of stability and damage detection parameters of coupled hydrodynamic-ground motion in concrete gravity dams

Abstract

In this paper, models of the global system of the Koyna dam have been created using ABAQUS software considering the dam-reservoir-foundation interaction. Non coupled models and the coupled models were compared regarding the horizontal displacement of the dam crest and the differential settlement of the dam base in clay foundation. Meta models were constructed and uncertainty quantification process was adopted by the support of Sobol’s sensitivity indices considering five uncertain parameters by exploiting Box-Behnken experimental method. The non coupled models results determined overestimated predicted stability and damage detection in the dam. The rational effects of the reservoir height were very sensitive in the variation of the horizontal displacement of the dam crest with a small interaction effect with the beta viscous damping coefficient of the clay foundation. The modulus of elasticity of the clay foundation was the decisive parameter regarding the variation of the differential settlement of the dam base. The XFEM approach has been used for damage detection in relation with both minimum and maximum values of each uncertain parameter. Finally the effects of clay and rock foundations were determined regarding the resistance against the propagation of cracks in the dam, where the rock foundation was the best.