Optimization techniques can be efficiently utilized to achieve an optimal shape for arch dams. This optimal design can consider the conditions of the economy and safety simultaneously. The main aim is to present an applicable and practical model and suggest an algorithm for optimization of concrete arch dams to enhance their seismic performance. To achieve this purpose, a preliminary optimizati...

arch dams are generally built in cantilvever monoliths. vertical contraction joints between monoliths control the stresses due to concrete shrinkage and temperature variations. past studies in earthquake safety evaluation of the system often show the tensile fracture and local nonlinear deformation of joints. in this paper, some nonlinear joint element constitutive models are presented to exami...

An efficient methodology is proposed to find optimal shape of arch dams on the basis of constrained natural frequencies. The optimization is carried out by virtual sub population (VSP) evolutionary algorithm employing real values of design variables. In order to reduce the computational cost of the optimization process, the arch dam natural frequencies are predicted by properly trained back pro...

In the present paper, nonlinear behavior of mass concrete simulated by smeared crack model is combined with Endurance Time Analysis (ETA) method for studying seismic response of arch dams. ETA is a time-history based dynamic pushover procedure in which special predesigned intensifying acceleration functions are used for analysis and estimation of structural responses in various performance leve...

optimization techniques can be efficiently utilized to achieve an optimal shape for arch dams. this optimal design can consider the conditions of the economy and safety simultaneously. the main aim is to present an applicable and practical model and suggest an algorithm for optimization of concrete arch dams to enhance their seismic performance. to achieve this purpose, a preliminary optimizati...

ABSTRACT: An efficient method is proposed to find optimal design of arch dams on the basis of constrained natural frequencies utilizing continuous evolutionary algorithm. To extract natural frequencies of arch dam considering fluid-structure interaction, it is necessary to solve the unsymmetrical damped eigenproblem. This means that the process of natural frequencies extraction may impose much ...

The effect of solar radiation on thermal distribution in thin high arch dams is investigated. The differential equation governing thermal behavior of mass concrete in three-dimensional space is solved applying appropriate boundary conditions. Solar radiation is implemented considering the dam face direction relative to the sun, the slop relative to horizon, the region cloud cover, and the surro...