Seismic Behaviour Modelling of Kualu Dam Under Earthquake Motion

As a mass structure, the seismic performance of a specified dam is importantly necessary, especially in the area which earthquake likely occur. The purpose of this study was to determine the critical areas of specified dam under earthquake motion. The dam structure was analyses with shell meshed modelling in empty condition and normal condition (operation term), as well as the seismic analysis under earthquake motion. The dynamic response analysis was carried out using response spectral acceleration under Operating Basis Earthquake (OBE) and Maximum Design Earthquake (MDE) based on earthquake records. According to the analytical results from the dynamic analyses, it was found that the shell structure members of the dam heel in the upstream were having a very large bending moment. The analysis also showed that the shell structure members in the face of downstream slopes were significantly responded the seismic motion in some certain modes. These two areas of the dam have become the critical areas of the dam which needed to be addressed in strength design of the specified dam.