Isogeometric analysis of the seismic response of a gravity dam: Acomparison with FEM

Modeling and analyzing the dynamic behavior of fluid-soil-structure interaction problems are crucial in structural engineering. The solution to such coupled engineering systems is often not achievable through analytical modeling alone, and a numerical solution is necessary. Generally, the Finite Element Method (FEM) is commonly used to address such problems. However, when dealing with coupled problems with complex geometry, the finite element method may not precisely represent the geometry, leading to errors that impact solution quality. Recently, Isogeometric Analysis (IGA) has emerged as a preferred method for modeling and analyzing complex systems. In this study, IGA based on Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) is employed to analyze the seismic behavior of concrete gravity dams, considering fluid-structure-foundation interaction. The performance of IGA is then compared with the classical finite element solution. The computational efficiency of IGA is demonstrated through case studies involving simulations of the reservoir-foundation-dam system under seismic loading.