Probabilistic Analysis of Concrete Gravity Dams Owing to Foundation Inhomogeneity

Assumption of homogenous foundation would bring about a lot of hazardous consequences, although it might reduce the cost of designing. These hazardous consequences root in inhomogeneity of foundation which is caused by large joints or fissures in it. Even though it is impossible to extend a unique model of inhomogeneity to all dams, the effect of mechanical properties of coupled system of dam-foundation-reservoir would be evaluated by considering one of the most critical geological situations which lead to critical responses. In current study, seismic performance of Pine Flat dam founded on inhomogeneous foundation is studied by probabilistic analysis as case study. In this process, three different level of earthquake’s intensity are imposed to the same models. Furthermore, the effect of deconvolution process is studied and the results have demonstrated importance of this process, especially in inhomogeneous cases.