Current dynamic response analyses of arch dams under an oblique incidence of seismic waves have overlooked the effects of canyon contraction deformation. This study investigated the influence of the incident direction and incident angle of seismic waves on the comprehensive displacements, as well as the damage, of arch dams under canyon contraction conditions. When SV waves are incident obliquely along the river direction, the peak displacements of the dam crest and arch crown beam increase with increasing canyon contraction. The displacement of the dam reaches its maximum when the incident angle is 0°, indicating that the SV wave vertical incidence is the most unfavourable incidence mode affecting the displacement. Dam damage cracking is most severe in the case of a canyon contraction of 60 mm and an incidence angle of 0°. The dam damage cracking index in this case increases only by 7.6% compared to a canyon contraction of 0 mm and an angle of incidence of 0°. However, the change in canyon contraction when a seismic wave is incident obliquely can cause serious damage cracking to the dam. When the SV wave is incident obliquely along the cross-river direction, the dam damage cracking index in this case increases by 110% compared to the case where the canyon contraction is 0 mm, and the incidence angle is 0°. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the influences of canyon contraction and the oblique incidence of seismic waves in the seismic design and safety review of arch dams.
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