Model investigation of earthquake: Resistance of the Kirovsk dam

Conclusions

• 1. The presence of water in the reservoir has little effect on the dynamic characteristics of massive-buttress dams under vibration of the buttresses along the dam axis and its effect shows no increase in analyses for seismic action in the direction across the canyon.

• 2. In analyses of the earthquake resistance of such dams it is necessary to take into account the interaction through the foundation of the adjacent sections, which have common bearing areas and which, in the case of a homogeneous foundation, lead to a substantial increase in the seismic stresses in the zone of the contact with the grout curtain.

• 3. For the Kirovsk dam, the foundation stratification led to favorable redistribution of the seismic stresses in the structure in comparison with the case of a homogeneous foundation having a greater deformability.

• 4. The presence of vertical cracks in the lower zone of the dam propagated to a height of 12 m did not cause substantial changes in the earthquake resistance of the structure.

• 5. Partial consolidation of all the intersectional joints ensures reliable operation of dams of similar types in narrow sites (L/h=3–4) for earthquakes of magnitude 8–9 across the canyon.