09-10-2014, 04:06 PM
Seismic response of Bhakra and Lakhwar dams is studied. For this, a computer program is written following the analytical procedure developed by Fenves and Chopra (1984a). The combined response of static and dynamic loads for simultaneous action of horizontal and vertical components of Taft ground motion is obtained. The displacement response of selected points of dam with respect to time and all-time highest maximum principal stresses in the dam and a cross-section are presented for the initial 15.0 seconds of ground motion, Both the dams are found to be able to safely withstand an earthquake of this nature and size. An approximate analysis is performed on both the dams using the simplified procedure given by Fenves and Chopra (1986). The contours of maximum principal stresses are presented and a comparison is made with those from the refined analysis.. It is seen that, even though the peak values are reasonably accurate, the location of peak stress in Bhakra dam is not correctly predicted by the approximate analysis, this is because of an abrupt change in upstream slop