Seismic performance assessment of a cemented material dam using incremental dynamic analysis

Cemented Material Dams (CMDs) have drawn much attention over the last two decades. This study aims to assess the performance levels and capacity of CMDs using Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA) with emphasis on the tension failure mode. To this end, Tobetsu dam in Japan was subjected to a set of 17 ground motion records scaled to increasing intensity levels until failure. Then, by considering IDA curves, three limit states were defined for the dam and then, the extent of the damage to its body was quantified through several damage indices. Based on the results, the proposed damage index outperformed available indices in the literature and accordingly, four damage states were defined in line with the proposed index. Finally, fragility curves were derived for Tobetsu dam based on IDA results. The findings revealed that the concentration of stresses in the dam body, especially heel and neck, was insignificant. Moreover, the mean values of the IDA curves in the downstream and upstream directions were in good agreement. Also, the results indicated that the compressive stresses developed in the dam body were much lower than the compressive strength of the material.