Seismic Reliability of Dam Structures

Reliability analysis of structures implies the estimate of the limit state probabilities of a structure under adverse/environmental loading. Most important aspect of seismic reliability analysis is identification of all uncertainties, methods for modeling and analysis, analytical formulation of the limit state surface and integration of probability density function. In the seismic reliability analysis of the dam structure, the limit state probability of the structure is integrated with the seismic risk of the site. In this study, Coulee concrete gravity dam structure is modeled and seismic reliability of the dam structure in the presence of full reservoir and empty reservoir are analyzed. The dam-reservoir and reservoir-foundation interactions are considered in the study. The transient analysis is done by considering El Centro and Loma Prieta earthquake record. The randomness of ground motion, uncertainties in its occurrence, definition of its intensity parameters are considered in seismic reliability analysis. The material uncertainty of the dam is included in the study.