Design and Modal Analysis of Gravity Dams by Ansys Parametric Design Language

Abstract

For find the optimal shape of concrete gravity dams including dam-water-foundation rock interaction, model of 2-dimensional finite elements that include the dam, reservoir and foundation is provided using the finite element software ANSYS in the most widely used APDL (Parametric Design Language) language programming. To consider 11 geometry variables, finite element analyses of gravity dams are carried. The 11 geometric variables are modeled for each gravity dam and geometry. In order to check and verify the model and ensure the assumptions used during the modeling, the dam is considered in 4 different cases: 1) Dam with empty reservoir and rigid foundation. 2) Dam with empty reservoir and flexible foundation. 3) Dam with full reservoir and rigid foundation. 4) Dam with full reservoir and flexible foundation. To assess the accuracy of this modeling, the modal analysis and mode shapes of the Pine Flat, koyna and idealized triangular Dams is studied and the results are compared with other reference results. Numerical results show the merits of the suggested technique for gravity dam shape simulation. It is also found that considering the dam-water-foundation rock interaction has an important role for safely designing a gravity dam. doi:10.14456/WJST.2015.13

Keywords

• Concrete gravity dam-reservoir-foundation rock interaction
• geometry shape variables
• natural frequency
• APDL/finite element method