Seismic Response of Concrete Gravity Dams Subjected to Spatially Variable Excitations

混凝土重力坝是为发电、供水、防洪、灌溉和娱乐服务的重要基础设施。大型混凝土坝在地震过程中，极有可能在其地基上的不同点上经历不同的地震诱发运动。在这些大型结构的抗震设计中，运动的这种空间变化通常被忽略，尽管它可能会在结构中引起更严重的响应模式，这可能会为水库的损失和随之而来的破坏铺平道路。本项目将全面研究地面运动的空间变异性对国家精心挑选的几座混凝土重力坝的影响？S列举了与场地有关的地震激励。这项研究将涉及大坝系统的详细数值模拟和动态分析，以准确地包括大坝混凝土、基岩和水库水的复杂非线性材料行为和相互作用。该项目将为评估空间变化的地面运动对混凝土重力坝反应的影响提供方法和框架。基于研究结果，将提出在大坝结构设计和加固中考虑地震运动的空间变异性影响的建议。研究结果将使工程师能够设计更安全的混凝土重力坝，并评估现有大坝的性能，以确定哪些大坝在预期的人员伤亡和经济损失方面对社会构成重大危险。研究结果将通过出版物和演示文稿直接传播给业内人士。这个项目产生的数字代码和数据将发布在一个网站上，供研究人员和执业工程师使用。这最终会增强国家的安全吗？S是至关重要的基础设施。这项研究还将为研究生和本科生提供高级培训。将利用已建立的机构伙伴关系在该项目中招募任职人数不足的群体。

Concrete gravity dams are critical infrastructure serving electricity generation, water supply, flood control, irrigation and recreation. Large concrete dams would most likely experience different earthquake induced motions at different points on their base during an earthquake. This spatial variation of the motions is commonly ignored in the seismic design of these massive structures, although it may induce more severe response patterns in the structures, which may potentially pave the way for the loss of the reservoir and ensuing devastation. This project will comprehensively study the effect of the spatial variability of the ground motions on a few carefully selected concrete gravity dams from the nation?s inventory exposed to seismic excitations pertinent to their sites. The study will involve detailed numerical modeling and dynamic analysis of dam systems to accurately include the complex nonlinear material behavior and interactions of the dam concrete, foundation rock and water in the reservoir. The project will provide the methodology and framework for the evaluation of the effect of spatially variable ground motions on the response of concrete gravity dams. Based on the research results, recommendations for incorporating the effect of spatial variability of seismic motions in the design and retrofit of dam structures will be made.The research results will enable engineers to design safer concrete gravity dams and to evaluate the performance of existing dams to identify those posing significant hazard to the community in terms of expected casualties and economic losses. The outcomes of the study will be directly disseminated to the profession via publications and presentations. The numerical codes and data generated with this project will be posted on a web site for use by researchers and practicing engineers. This will eventually enhance the safety of the nation?s vital infrastructure. The research will also provide advanced training to graduate and undergraduate students. Underrepresented groups will be recruited in the project using well established institutional partnerships.