Dynamic modelling of the behaviour of the quarkiss earthen dam under seismic loads

Abstract

The dynamic modelling of the behaviour of the Ouarkiss earthen dam under seismic loads was performed using the finite elements method (FEM), with an approach in effective stresses. The soil behaviour is described by the Mohr-Coulomb criterion. A numerical method and a procedure of analysis are presented in this work. The seismic response of an earthen dam was evaluated. Particular emphasis is placed on the calculation of stresses, displacements, deformations and interstitial overpressures recorded during the seismic solicitation. It has been shown that numerical simulation is able to highlight the fundamental aspects of the displacements and deformations processes experienced by the structure ofdam and to produce preliminary results for the evaluation of the seismic behaviour of the structure taking into account the physical non-linearity of the materials constituting the body of the dam and the effect of the rigidity of the different zones of the dam and the foundation.