Seasonal temperature and stress distributions in concrete gravity dams. Part 2: behaviour

Abstract

The thermal response of a typical dam–foundation–reservoir system, using the methodology described in part 1, is presented. Extensive parametric analyses are performed to determine the relative influence, on the thermal and stress–strain responses of the system, due to (i) the geometrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the dam, (ii) the reservoir, foundation, and air temperature distributions, and (iii) the heat supply from solar radiation. Temperature states to define critical stress conditions for structural safety analyses are determined. Significant thermal stresses occur in the vicinity of the exposed surface of the dam, with a typical depth of frost penetration of about 6 m. The parameters that affect the surface stresses most are the air temperature distribution and the height of the dam, while for frost penetration they are the solar radiation, convection coefficient, and conduction coefficient. Key words: gravity dams, thermal analysis, finite element method.