Seismic Safety Assessment of Arch Dams Using an ETA-Based Method with Control of Tensile and Compressive Damage

The seismic safety assessment of large concrete dams remains a significant challenge in dam engineering, as it requires appropriate analysis methods, modern performance criteria, and advanced numerical models to simulate the behavior. This paper presents method for arch based on Endurance Time Analysis (ETA), using tensile compressive damage results from robust formulation considering joint opening/sliding non-linear behavior (finite element program DamDySSA, under development LNEC). is evaluated by controlling evolution state dam, according predefined estimate acceleration endurance limits damage. These are compared, respectively, with peak ground accelerations prescribed Operating Basis Earthquake (OBE) Safety Evaluation (SEE), aiming evaluate relative both earthquake levels efficiently, single intensifying time history. ETA-based applied cases Cabril Dam (132 m-high) Cahora Bassa (170 m-high), confirming its usefulness future studies, while potential DamDySSA highlighted.