DDA coupled FEM and its application in concrete gravity dams with joints
  Revised:December 20, 2002
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DOI:10.7511/jslx20045104
KeyWord:discontinuous deformation analysis,finite element method,coupling,longitudinal joint,gravity dam,contact
Liu Jun+1  Kong Xianjing+
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Abstract:
      Concrete gravity dams are constructed with multiple longitudinal joints. In order to avoid excessive stresses convergence, bended joints are designed at the top of longitudinal joints. Because of the existence of longitudinal joints the deformations of the dams become discontinuous and it is difficult to compute such deformations using conventional Finite Element Method (FEM). In this paper, the Discontinuous Deformation Analysis (DDA) coupled with FEM is proposed. Using the program developed by the authors, a concrete gravity dam with multiple longitudinal joints is computed in detail. Different longitudinal joint shape and gap size are considered in the effects on the deformations and the stress distributions in the dam. From the results, two conclusions can be obtained: (1) DDA coupled with FEM enhances the ability of modeling block's deformation and stress distribution filed; (2) The deformations and the stresses in the dam with the bended joints are smaller than those with straight joints, so it is better to design concrete gravity dam with bended joints.