Earthquake Response of Arch Dams including Hydrodynamic effect using ABAQUS

A simple arch dam [1] is analyzed to find responses due to an earthquake, including the hydrodynamic effect of the reservoir water. The simple arch shape dam was modeled as a monolith structure, assuming the linear behavior of dam concrete. The arch dam is modeled with finite elements. The hydrodynamic effect is considered as an added mass of water adhered to the dam’s upstream surface [2]. Natural frequencies and mode shapes are computed for the dam without water and the dam with water. Time history analysis of the dam is performed for the Kern County earthquake (1952), Taft component 111 acceleration time history. The added mass of water is calculated according to the Kuo 1982 [2] research paper. Various results containing Cantilever stresses, arch stresses, and deflections are shown and plotted. Analyses are performed with the help of the Abaqus Software.