NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Effect of Nonuniform Seismic Input on Arch Dams.
- File
- PB89194450.pdf
- Author(s)
- Nowak, P. S.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC., January 1988, 153 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- EERL-88-03
- Abstract
- Standard earthquake analyses of civil engineering structures use uniform ground motions even though considerable variations in both amplitude and phase can occur along the foundation interface for long-span bridges and large dams. The thesis quantifies the effect that these nonuniformities have on the structural response. The nonuniform, free-field motions of the foundation interface are assumed to be caused by incident plane body waves. The medium in which these waves travel is a linear, elastic half-space containing a canyon of uniform cross section in which the structure is placed. The solutions for the free-field motions that are due to incident SH,P and SV waves are calculated using the boundary element method. An analysis of Pacoima (arch) Dam located near Los Angeles, California is performed for both uniform and nonuniform excitations.
- Keywords
- ; Earthquake resistant structures; Vibration; Damping; Seismic prospecting; Arch dams; Dynamic response; Graphs (Charts); Excitation; Loads (Forces); Dynamic structural analysis