21 November, 2013

EXERCISE # 1
Evaluation of the structural stability of a concrete gravity dam


Scope: To evaluate the effects of uplift control provisions on the structural behavior of a concrete
gravity dam.
The exercise will be performed individually. The main dimensions of the dam structure are presented
in table 1.1. Two cases have to be analyzed:
(1) Current static loads, no drainage;
(2) Current static loads, drainage drillings;
The problem is solved by using the gravity method (rigid body equilibrium and beam theory). The
computations are performed by the computer code CADAM version 1.4.3, developed by Department
of Civil Eng. at the Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. By running the CADAM/setup.exe
(application) the program CADAM and the pdf file CADAM User Manual become available. The
manual may be used for any additional information.
Basic data:
Launch the CADAM program. From the file menu select New and then the main commend
Parameters.
Fill up the general information box. Project may be Exercice#l, Dam name may be your free choice,
the engineer name has to be your own name and the analysis performer the same.
The Parameters options require data concerning Model (the section geometry and material
properties), static loads and seismic loads. In the order of the input sequence the basic data are:

I . Section geometry:
The notations are the one defined in the interactive screen of the program. The dimensions are listed in table 1.1.

Fig. 1 Section geometry & basic data input window
Table 1.1 Section geometry
Distance Elevation
L1 80.00 m Elev. point A 0
L2 10.00 m Elev. point B 3.1
L3 10.00 m Elev. point C 0
L4 8.00 m Elev. point D 6.1
Elev. point E 45.1
Elev. point F 85.1
Elev. point G 100.1
Elev. point H 0
Elev. point I 6.1

I I . Lift joint material:
Create material #1 for lift joint. Use option 2 (without strength drop) to describe the shear strength
parameters for concrete (lift joint) and concrete - rock interface (base joint).
Table 1.2 Shear strength parameters
Parameter
Lift joint Base joint
Peak shear
strength
Residual shear
strength
Peak shear
strength
Residual shear
strength
Cohesion (c) 10 0 0 0
Friction angle () 55 45 50 48
Normal compression
stress to mobilize n
0 0 0 0

I I . Lift joint generation:
In order to simplify the analysis of the output use single lift joint creation as input for the lift joint generation
step. Elevation of the selected joint is Elev. point E and Angle =0. Do not forget to confirm by pushing button
"Create'" before OK. Lift joint material is 1 - that means concrete.
I V. Static loads
The static analysis will include only the reservoir water loads. Consequently, provide the reservoir level and the
downstream level as follows:
Reservoir operating level - upstream = Elev G - 10m;
- downstream = 6.1 m (elev I);
Reservoir flood level - upstream = Elev G -5m;
- downstream = 11.1 m.
The second main load is uplift. In order to evaluate the significant effect of the drainage system on the dam
stability the analyses (1) and (2) have to be performed.
For the first analysis - Case (1)
In the dialog window dedicated to uplift specify "NO drainage". No other value has to be provided.
For the second analysis - Case (2)
In the dialog window dedicated to uplift specify "FES' drainage". The following data have to be added:
Drain position from the heel of the dam = 5m.
Gallery elevation = 5m.
Alternative 2 for the uplift pressure distribution and k
2
= 0.25.
For the first case follow the steps V, VI and VII as described below. For the second case perform the steps VI
and VII as in the case (1). No other modifications are required except the one specified above for the uplift load.
V. Load combinations
Select Load combination from Parameters command bar. In the dialog box select Usual and specify
1 for the Dead load, Hydrostatic (U/S), Hydrostatic (D/S) and Uplift pressure. Do not modify the other options
and confirm by pushing OK.
VI . Analysis
Perform the analysis by using option Analysis from the command bar followed by Done.
VI I . Plot of the results

Select the option Results from the command bar and then Reports. First select Model parameters and print the
three pages that describe entirely your model. (For the second case plot only the third page since the first two are
not changed as compared to the case 1). Second, select Stability drawings and print the two pages (drawings)
that present the stress distribution along the selected joint and along the base joint and the stability factors for
the same sections.
Case 1 No Drainage











Case 2 Drainage