| Abstract: | A rigorous analytical solution is developed for the lateral linear shear response of embankment dams in semi-cylindrical valleys. Closed-form algebraic expressions are presented pertaining to both free and base-induced oscillations, and extensive parametric and comparative studies elucidate the prominent effects of canyon geometry (shape and aspect ratio) on dynamic response. Harmonic steady-state as well as earthquake-induced accelerations, displacements and shear strains in the dam are studied and compared with those obtained from 3-Dimensional analyses for other canyon geometries, as well as from 2-Dimensional (2-D) analyses of the dam mid-section. It is shown that such 2-D analyses may provide significantly lower values of near-crest accelerations, but slightly higher values of shear strains and stresses than the 3-D analyses. The proposed method of analysis is at least three orders of magnitude less expensive than other presently available numerical procedures. |
