Numerical simulation of reinforced concrete cut-off wall with steel fibers under dam

Abstract

One of the main components of dams is the cut-off wall, which any damage to this concrete structure could encounter the dam with danger. Flexural behavior of concrete is an important factor in view of creating and growing cracks in the cut-off wall. Few researches have been done on properties and application of fibers in the cut-off walls, but the advantages of using this type of concrete in other hydraulic structures have been proved. In the present research, numerical simulation of a reinforced concrete cut-off wall with steel fibers was performed and its behavior under hydrostatic and earthquake loads were studied using Finite Element Method (FEM). Results showed that by increasing the volume of fibers, the fracture strain of the cut-off wall becomes larger and more energy was absorbed. It can be concluded that using fibers in the concrete cut-off wall improve its flexural behavior.