A particle-based computational framework for damage assessment in a concrete dam-reservoir system under seismic loading.

A sudden failure of a concrete gravity dam can cause a huge economic loss and untold human tragedy. An earthquake of high magnitude is one of the reasons for this failure. Numerical simulation provides significant insight into dam fracture and damage evolution. Here, a particle-based computational framework is developed to investigate the failure of a concrete gravity dam-reservoir system exposed to dynamic loadings. A suitable fracture model has been incorporated to simulate fracture in a concrete dam. In the first case, fracture in a concrete dam, without considering the effect of reservoir, is simulated under sinusoidal loading and Koyna earthquake loading. In the second case, a reservoir on the dam's upstream side is modeled, and fracture in the dam is simulated under Koyna earthquake loading. A non-reflecting boundary condition is applied to eliminate the potential influence of reflecting waves from the reservoir end. • Concrete gravity dams are vulnerable to failure under dynamic loading conditions, especially earthquakes. • A particle-based numerical framework is developed for evaluating damage in the dam. • A reservoir at the upstream side of the dam is modeled to assess its impact on damage. • A non-reflecting boundary condition is employed. • The developed model is validated through experimental and numerical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]