On the influence of uplift pressure in concrete gravity dams

Cracks are often present in concrete dams, and may have relevant dimensions. The evaluation of the safety factor of old dams under higher flood levels has been investigated through fracture mechanics in previous years. Crack stability in concrete dams can correctly be predicted when uplift pressures are accurately modelled. Current models consider a uniform uplift pressure distribution, but recent experimental results show that it varies along the crack faces. In the present paper, uplift pressure effects in cracked concrete gravity dams are studied. A parametric study on the influence of uplift pressure on stress intensity factors and crack-propagation angle is performed. Furthermore, uplift pressure effects on the LEFM scale law for the maximum water level carried by cracked gravity dams are examined.