Theoretical basis of the substructure method for the dynamic earthquake analysis of arch dams

Abstract

The seismic response of dams is one of the most complex engineering problems because it implies interaction of concrete, water in the reservoir and rock mass in dynamic conditions. In practice, various (often unrealistic) assumptions are introduced that simplify this problem and make it quasi-static. With the development of computers and along with the growing need for more accurate analysis, it is increasingly common to use dynamic analyses that give time responses of the system and better describe the behaviour of the dam. This paper presents the concept of using the substructure method - dynamic analysis that takes into account the interaction of dam and water in the reservoir for finding the system's response in function of time - displacements, pressures, etc.