Abstract: (17692 Views)
Seismic behavior of a rockfill dam with asphalt-concrete core has been studied utilizing
numerical models with material parameters determined by laboratory tests. The case study selected
for these analyses, is the Meyjaran asphalt core dam, recently constructed in Northern Iran, with
60 m height and 180 m crest length. The numerical analyses have been performed using a nonlinear
three dimensional finite difference software and various hazard levels of earthquakes.
This study shows that due to the elasto-plastic characteristics of the asphalt concrete, rockfill dams
with asphalt concrete core behave satisfactorily during earthquake loading. The induced shear
strains in the asphalt core, for the case presented in this research, are less than 1% during an
earthquake with amax=0.25g and the asphalt core remains watertight. Due to large shear
deformations caused by a more severe earthquake with amax=0.60g, some cracking may occur
towards the top of the core (down to 5-6 m), and the core permeability may increase in the top part,
but the dam is safe.
Type of Study:
Research Paper |