A DISCONTINUUM ANALYSIS ON THE EFFECT OF SHEAR SEAM ON AN INTACT DAM FOUNDATION

As dams are large structures often constructed on rock formations exhibiting material non - homogeneity, anisotrop y and non - linear behavior, a complete stress - deformation analysis is required to arrive at a proper design. Shear zones and seams encountered in the rock foundation of these structures are responsible for undesirable deformations and stress concentrations in the dam - foundation system. The presence of shear seam at any location and inclinations weakens the dam - foundation system. As the deformations and stress distribution in the foundation are highly influenced by the locations and inclinations of shear seam , intensive analysis of each cases need to be carried out. The paper presents a discontinuum analysis of a dam - foundation system under the influence of shear seam originating at heel and toe of the dam has been carried out using distinct element method. Th e inclination of the seam is considered as a critical parameter in defining the stress - deformation response of a dam - foundation system. The paper focuses on the stress - deformation analysis of a dam - foundation system carried out using UDEC