Effects of lift joints on Dam structure | Analysis of dam structures subjected to seismic structures | Download USACE for dynamic analysis of concrete dam structures

The performance of a #dam under #earthquake loading depends on various factors such as the dam #design, #construction quality, foundation conditions, seismic hazard, and intensity of ground shaking and the same is controlled by the tensile strength of the concrete, by tensile crack propagation.

But, the actual tensile strength used in the performance evaluation of the dam should be determined by taking into account the effects of lift joints.
The ultimate tensile strength of the parent concrete (concrete without joints) obtained from static load testing must be adjusted to account for lower strength at construction joints and strain rate effects. It is not reasonable to expect the bonding at construction joints to be equal to that of the parent concrete. The tensile strength of conventional mass concrete joints cleaned by a high-pressure water jet is approximately 70% of the tensile strength of the parent concrete as per #USACE EM 1110-2-6053.
This aspect needs to be carefully considered in analyzing the performance of the dam during DBE and MCE conditions.

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