Asynchronous seismic analysis of concrete-faced rockfill dams including dam–reservoir interaction

Seismic response of concrete-faced rockfill (CFR) dams subjected to asynchronous base excitation is determined by considering dam–reservoir interaction. The equations of motion of the coupled system are obtained using the Lagrangian approach, and the surface sloshing motion is included in the finite element formulation. Torul dam constructed in the city, Gumushane, Turkey, is selected as a numerical example, and its material properties are considered in the analysis. The dam–reservoir interaction system is modelled using the Lagrangian (displacement-based) fluid and solid-quadrilateral-isoparametric finite elements. The east–west component of Erzincan earthquake, which occurred on 13 March 1992, recorded near the region of the dam is used as a ground motion. Propagation velocities of the seismic wave are chosen as 1000 m/s, 3000 m/s, and infinite. Stresses are calculated for empty and full reservoir cases and compared with each other.Key words: concrete-faced rockfill dam, Lagrangian approach, dam–reservoir interaction, finite element method, earthquake.