Influence of the Faults in Foundation on the Response of arch dam

Safety evaluation of the dam subjected to the design earthquake is a crucial factor for the project. The dynamic behavior, the dynamic reaction of the gravity arch dam including of dam-foundation-storage capacity of water system, have been studied and analyzed for the 269m high Baihetan arch dam under construction in China. By applying the seismic load method, the three dimensional finite element method and nonlinear wave analysis technique, that the overall influence of real geological and topographical condition of dam site and the earthquake input and faults in foundation are taken into consideration. The study result shows that the existence of faults would generate an influence on seismic response in different extents, and cause the redistribution of earthquake stresses, even stresses to be concentrated partially and the change of opening of contraction joints. So the effect of the presence of faults should be more taken into consideration.