This study focuses on the shape optimization of concrete gravity dams considering dam–water–foundation interaction and nonlinear effects subject to earthquake. The concrete gravity dam is considered as a two–dimensional structure involving the geometry and material nonlinearity effects. For the description of the nonlinear behavior of concrete material under earthquake loads, the Drucker–Prager...

The paper deals with the reliability–based design optimization (RBDO) of concrete gravity dams subjected to earthquake load using subset simulation. The optimization problem is formulated such that the optimal shape of concrete gravity dam described by a number of variables is found by minimizing the total cost of concrete gravity dam for the given target reliability. In order to achieve this p...

This study focuses on the shape optimization of concrete gravity dams considering dam– water–foundation interaction and nonlinear effects subject to earthquake. The concrete gravity dam is considered as a two–dimensional structure involving the geometry and material nonlinearity effects. For the description of the nonlinear behavior of concrete material under earthquake loads, the Drucker–Prage...

Most of the existing concrete dams are subjected to cracking. These cracks are caused by various factors such as construction practices, curing, loads and volume change of mass concrete which reduce the efficiency, failure or instability of concrete dams. Using fracture mechanics as a new method to estimate stability and durability of concrete dams is recommended in scientific publications in w...

This study numerically predicts the failure scenario of a cracked concrete gravity dam through a push-over nonlinear analysis. The mixed-mode Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) was employed using the extended finite element method (XFEM). The dam base was considered to be fully fixed without any foundation effects. The hydrostatic pressure on the dam's upstream face was increased incremen...

Uplift and pore pressures are fundamental loading conditions that affect the strength and stability of concrete dams. Historically, these loads have been difficult to quantify and to implement in finite element analysis (FEA). Some dam design guidelines propose different techniques to apply the estimated uplift pressure for its use in FEA of concrete dams. These methodologies are, in general, q...