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U.S. Department of Energy
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Centrifuge modeling and analysis of concrete gravity dams. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:168361

This report contains general background information on centrifuge experimentation and linear elastic fracture mechanics pertaining to concrete gravity dam models, and explains in detail the experimental methodology and procedures developed for testing concrete gravity dam models in centrifuges. An important detail in the experimental procedure is that the models are loaded upstream with water and, at fracture, have water uplift pressure within any cracks. Finally, test results and comparisons to analytical/numerical models on two types of dam specimens, that is monolithic concrete dam models and rock foundation/concrete dam models, are reported. The experimental results show good agreement with the numerical finite element analysis predictions, in terms of strains and crest displacements versus upstream water levels. Also, the monolithic concrete specimen`s crack trajectories illustrate curvilinear orientation, qualitatively verifying theoretical predictions.

Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); Colorado Univ., Boulder, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
OSTI ID:
168361
Report Number(s):
EPRI-TR--105824
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English