Comparison of different fracture modelling approaches to gravity dam failure. Issue 1 (2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jianwen Pan; Yuntian Feng; Feng Jin; Chuhan Zhang; David Roger Jones Owen
• Is Part Of: Engineering computations. Volume 31:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2014
• Subjects: Computer-aided engineering -- Periodicals; Computer graphics -- Periodicals; 620.00285
• DOI: 10.1108/EC-04-2012-0091
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-4401

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve"> Abstract </x> </title> <p> <bold>Purpose</bold> – There is not a unified modelling approach to finite element failure analysis of concrete dams. Different behaviours of a dam predicted by different fracture methods with various material constitutive models may significantly influence on the dam safety evaluation. The purpose of this paper is to present a general comparative investigation to examine whether the nonlinear responses of concrete dams obtained from different fracture modelling approaches are comparable in terms of crack propagation and failure modes. <bold>Design/methodology/approach</bold> – Three fracture modelling approaches, including the extended finite element method with a cohesive law (XFEM‐COH), the crack band finite element method with a plastic‐damage relation (FEPD), and the Drucker‐Prager (DP) elasto‐plastic model, are chosen to analyse damage and cracking behaviour of concrete gravity dams under overloading conditions. The failure process and loading capacity of a dam are compared. <bold>Findings</bold> – The numerical results indicate that the three approaches are all applicable to predict loading capacity and safety factors of gravity dams. However, both XFEM‐COH and FEPD give more reasonable crack propagation and failure modes in comparison with DP. Therefore, when cracking patterns are the major concern for safety evaluation of concrete dams, it is recommended that XFEM‐COH and FEPD rather than DP be used. <bold>Originality/value</bold> – The comparison of cracking behaviours of concrete dams obtained from different fracture modelling approaches is conducted. The applicability of the modelling approaches for failure analysis of concrete dams is discussed, and from the results presented in this work, it is significant to consider the suitability of the selected fracture modelling approach for dam safety evaluation.</p> <ack> <title> <x xml:space="preserve"> Acknowledgements </x> </title> <p>The support of the State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University under Grant No. 2011‐KY‐3, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40974063) and the National Basic Research Program of China ("973") under Grant No. 2007CB714108 are gratefully acknowledged.</p> </ack> </abstract>