Foundation analysis of an arch dam. Comparison of two modelling techniques: No tension and jointed rock material

Summary The paper describes the application of a recently developed joint element to the analysis of a jointed rock foundation of an arch dam. The most relevant joint system and the concrete-rock interfaces were simulated by means of joint elements. Parameters for the constitutive behaviour of the joints were derived from large scale in situ shear tests. The analysis showed the suitability of the jointed model to predict not only stresses and deformations but also the shape of the failure surface al ultimate conditions. This allows an easy determination of conventional safety factors. A parallel no tension analysis incorporating a cohesion threshold was also carried out. The comparison of both approaches indicates that the no tension hypothesis is a crude approximation of the rock response to dam loads and may lead to unsafe estimates of stability and stress conditions.The analysis performed also showed the relevance of initial stress conditions inside the rock mass in controlling the overall foundation response.