MONITORING BHAKRA DAM.

A detailed study of the structural behavior of Bhakra dam in India was carried out when it was discovered that some of the instruments installed were behaving erratically and providing inconsistent data. The finite element method was used for a theoretical analysis to obtain deflections and stresses in the dam, and this included assessing the effect of grouting of the transverse joints. All static loads, including uplift pressures and temperature effects, were taken into account. The theoretically computed stresses and deflections compared well with measurements obtained from some of the stressmeters and plumblines; it was thus possible to identify reliable instruments and use data from them to assess the future performance of the dam.