Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Faculty of Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili
2
Faculty of Engineering, University of Zanajn, Zanjan, Iran.
3
Faculty of Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
10.22091/cer.2025.13136.1629
Abstract
Concrete dams are critical infrastructures, and their seismic safety assessment is of great importance. Among various influencing factors, the presence of sediment in dam reservoirs can significantly affect the seismic response of these structures. This study aims to investigate the impact of sediment on the dynamic behavior of concrete roller-compacted dams, using the Javeh Dam as a case study. Finite element analysis was performed using ANSYS software, with sediment layers ranging from 2 to 20 meters and reservoir levels set at 50%, 70%, and 100%. Key parameters evaluated include maximum horizontal displacement and the first and third principal stresses at the heel and toe of the dam. The results indicate that sediment thickness and water level can either increase or decrease stress and displacement de-pending on the specific conditions. At 50% and 70% reservoir levels, sediment presence had minimal influence on structural response. However, under full reservoir conditions, sediment thicknesses up to 7 meters increased stress and displacement values. Beyond 7 meters, these values began to decrease. Specifically, for sediment thicknesses of 2, 5, and 7 meters under full reservoir conditions, the first principal stress at the dam heel increased by 19.06%, 14.65%, and 5.20%, respectively, compared to the no-sediment case. These findings emphasize the importance of accounting for actual sediment conditions in seismic analysis and design of concrete dams to ensure structural integrity and safety.
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