Structural integrity and adherence to code requirements are paramount in the development of all types of large constructions and buildings. Numerical simulation can be of great help but is only as good as the assumptions that go into the mathematical model, and when it comes to the seismic safety evaluation of dams, there is a growing demand for a more rigorous approach. The failure of large structures poses serious safety concerns and often causes severe damage, with a higher risk during earthquakes. Dams are huge barriers built across rivers and streams to restrict the flow of water for purposes such as irrigation and the production of hydroelectricity. Because of the unique interactions with both soil and water, modeling techniques used for conventional buildings are not directly applicable to dams. Assessing the behavior of these dam-reservoir soil systems is complex and has been approximated and simplified for years. But through new efforts led by a team of researchers at Pisa University in Italy, a renewed accuracy and soundness of dam simulations has been developed and looks to make the future of these gargantuan structures much safer.
展开▼
