Are There Any Differences in Seismic Performance Evaluation Criteria for Concrete Arch Dams?

Differences between stress-based and strain-based criteria are investigated in seismic performance evaluation of the arch dams in time domain. A numerical model of the coupled dam-reservoir-foundation system is prepared with the finite element technique. Reservoir is modeled using the Eulerian approach as a compressible domain, and the foundation rock is assumed to be massless. Dynamic equilibrium equations for the coupled system are solved using Newmark’s time integration algorithm. Seismic performance of the arch dam is evaluated according to parameters such as demand-capacity ratio, cumulative inelastic duration and overstressed (or overstrained) areas obtained from linear elastic analyses. The results show, although there are some similarities between stress-based and strain-based criteria, evaluation of the performance based on the strain gives different results which can be led to different decision making in dam safety related projects.