Modelling and analysis of arch dam withstand underwater explosion

Based on the software LS–DYNA–970, centred finite difference finite element method, this paper focuses on analysing the physical processes of an explosion blast in water and the response of the arch dam. As the processes are complicated, a dynamic finite element model was developed. The calculation gives the displacement and the acceleration time–history curves of important points. The results show that, under the shock waves of underwater explosion, the response of arch dam in horizontal way is much larger than in the vertical way. The degree of response depends on the distance of the point and the centre point of explosion.