Safety analysis of selected zoned roller compacted concrete (ZRCC) gravity dam

Abstract

Roller-compacted concrete (RCC)dams represent a departure from conventional mass concrete (CMC) dams due to differences in construction methods and concrete compositions. The analysis of RCC gravity dam safety is affected by the presence of dynamic seismic activity. The CADAM software was used to examine the seismic and stability characteristics of a Gibe-III Zoned RCC gravity dam. The Gibe-III Zoned RCC gravity dam is segmented into four zones, namely the bottom layer, medium lower, medium upper, and upper layer, with each zone having a different concrete grade. The RCC dam undergoes pseudo-static and pseudo-dynamic analysis, which involves evaluating its response to horizontal and vertical accelerations caused by the Operating Base Earthquake (OBE), Maximum Design Earthquake (MDE), and Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) loading conditions. The Gibe-III RCC gravity dam is structurally secure when subjected to pseudo-static stress conditions and satisfies the safety requirements for sliding and overturning as specified by the OBE, MDE, and MCE safety factors. According to the pseudo-dynamic study, the dam is deemed secure against the effects of an OBE (Operating Basis Earthquake). The uppermost layer of the dam gets damaged by MDE accelerations. The accelerations of MCE’s impact the higher and mid-upper layers. The dam must be safeguarded in order to counteract MDE. Retrofit strategies must be employed to ensure that dam can withstand the maximum credible earthquake’s peak accelerations.