Numerical Analysis of the Effect of Upstream Morphological Changes on Stability of Kharkheh Diversion Dam Using HEC-RAS and SAP Software

Abstract

The devastating flood of Karkheh River in 2019 besides changes of morphology and conditions of the river bed after operation of the dam warn the experts to double check stability of Karkheh (Hamidieh) Diversion Dam to assure that the dam is in good conditions. Great accuracy and simplicity of mathematical models, besides the easy access they provide to the results and data analyses, makes them a suitable alternative for the empirical methods. The present study is an attempt to use HES-RAS and SAP software to analyze the effect of upstream morphological changes on stability of Karkheh Diversion Dam. The results suggest that structure of Hamidieh Regulatory-Diversion Dam is conveniently stable and the models are indicative of proper stability factors. According to the results, safety factors of the stability of Hamidieh Dam against sliding of the middle pier under normal and special loads are 1.51 and 6.93 respectively. Considering the age of Hamidieh Dam and wears and damages observed on its hydraulic structures, further studies on curing and repair of this dam are recommended. The results suggest that stresses applied to the lower parts of the weir are slightly larger than the allowable range

Keywords

• stability of the diversion dam
• sap
• hec-ras
• flood