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Shape optimization of concrete arch dams considering abutment stability

Takalloozadeh, M ; Sharif University of Technology

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. Abstract:
  3. A novel and robust approach is proposed to find the optimum shape of concrete arch dams located on any unsymmetrical shape of a valley. The approach is capable of finding the optimum shape for any given valley type in suitable time, based on abutment stability analysis, against thrust forces from an arch dam. The behavior and stability of a concrete arch dam is strongly dependent on the bedrock on which the dam rests. The stability of the abutment is considered a constraint in the proposed approach. In addition, a new objective function is introduced to decrease the final volume of the arch dam. Furthermore, a computer program was developed, which takes the effect of the dam foundation system into consideration, and can model most loads applicable to arch dams. The optimization problem is solved via both Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and classical methods. Several practical factors have been considered to make the approach more feasible and effective in practical projects. The results show the efficiency of the proposed method and the final shape satisfies all constraints
  4. Keywords:
  5. Abutments (bridge) ; Arch dams ; Arches ; Concrete construction ; Concrete dams ; Concretes ; Dams ; Design ; Optimization ; Particle swarm optimization (PSO) ; Stability ; Abutment stability ; Classical methods ; Concrete arch dams ; Dam-foundation systems ; Minimum weight design ; Objective functions ; Optimization problems ; Practical projects ; Shape optimization
  6. Source: Scientia Iranica ; Vol. 21, issue. 4 , 2014 , p. 1297-1308 ; 10263098
  7. URL: http://www.scientiairanica.com/en/ManuscriptDetail?mid=369