The Effects of Nonlinear Foundation Rock Models on Analyses of Karun 3 Double Curvature Arch Dam

The design of concrete arch dams is usually based on linear analyses. However, results of such analyses are not (at least locally) realistic. In order to overcome this shortcoming, different approaches may be utilized. One approach is application of elasto–plastic behavior for foundation and abutments materials. This paper studies the effect of application of the Mohr-Coulomb elasto-plastic model for foundation on the stresses and displacements of concrete arch dams. For this purpose, displacements and stress distributions are compared for two different approaches against each other. These two cases are relying on elastic and elasto-plastic modeling of foundation rock medium. Furthermore, a parametric study is subsequently carried out in the nonlinear approach which includes parameters such as cohesion, friction angle and dilation angle. The analyses are carried out by utilizing ABAQUS general purpose finite element program. It should be mentioned that the Karun 3 double curvature concrete arch dam is utilized in the present study.