Thermo-mechamical modelling of arch dams for performance assessment

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.This document underscores various temperature related components and procedures for undertaking a successful performance analysis of concrete arch dams. Arch dams experience high temperature variations, which are generally assessed using finite element models. Deterioration of arch dams is caused principally by thermal effects, with 19% cases attributed to freezing and thawing, and 9% to temperature variations (Daoudu et al., 1997). The temperature loading conditions cause a high expanse of stresses at the various interface locations due to change in environmental conditions. Past research has shown that stresses caused by temperature change can be larger than those from reservoir loading (Bureau of Reclamation, 1977). The proposed finite element model for this study focuses on the performance assessment of arch dams in operation due to thermal loading