Estimating the Variable Horizontal Acceleration Coefficient in Height of Embankment Dams Considering Dam Flexibility and Reservoir Elevations

Davoodi, M; Ghanbari, Ali; Abedini, S.

doi:10.18869/acadpub.jeg.9.3.2941

Estimating the Variable Horizontal Acceleration Coefficient in Height of Embankment Dams Considering Dam Flexibility and Reservoir Elevations

Authors

M Davoodi

Ali Ghanbari

S. Abedini

10.18869/acadpub.jeg.9.3.2941

Abstract

The pseudo-static analysis is one of the conventional methods in embankment dams design and International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) suggests using this method before ultimate dynamic analyses. In this research, the static, pseudo-static and dynamic analysis of Masjed Soleyman embankment dam was performed. Using dynamic and pseudo-static analyses results, the safety factor of critical sliding surface was calculated. Permanent displacements of critical sliding surface were evaluated by New mark method and the calculated safety factor was compared. Based on the comparison results in different water levels of the reservoir and by introducing a new equation, the variable horizontal acceleration coefficients in height of the dam body were calculated. Finally, the obtained horizontal acceleration coefficients were compared with the other criteria introduced in different embankment dam's design codes. Totally, the results indicate that the proposed method leads to a larger horizontal acceleration coefficient in higher parts of the dam body.

Keywords

embankment dams

horizontal acceleration coefficients

pseudo-static analysis

dynamic analysis