Numerical Modelling of Crack Growth in Concrete Gravity Dams Based on the Discrete Crack Method

摘要

Cracks are present to some degree in all structures. They may exist as basic defects in the constituent materials or may be observed in construction or during service life. Over-design carries heavy penalty in terms of excess weight. To avoid such failure in concrete dams, safety would be an important factor. So the fracture mechanics theory is a principal need of evaluating the stability of such crack propagation. For the process of crack propagation analysis in concrete structures, there are two general models: discrete crack and smeared crack. This paper surveys the crack propagation in concrete gravity dams based on discrete crack methods. Moreover, we use a program provided specifically for this purpose.