Construction phases and structural analysis of Ilisu Damproject

The importance of concrete faced rockfill dam (CFRD) type construction is increasing day by day thanks to many advantages in reducing the filling volume, construction period and cost of the dam which has long crest lengths. Stated type of the dam construction has been started to prefer by many countries around the world since 2000s. However, there are disadvantages such as water leakage in dam foundation rock and between concrete face slabs in contrary to the advantages like economic and shortening construction phase. Leakage problems can be controlled significantly with a sound engineering design and method statement In this study, Ilısu Dam Project construction phases and gained experiences from the project site construction works are explained, and structural analysis of Ilısu Dam Project has been carried out with another structural analysis computer program which works with finite element analysis. Vertical and shear stresses and horizontal movement in the direction of upstream – downstream has been calculated under self weight, hydraulic and seismic load combinations with Structural Analysis Program (SAP) at the selected three critical dam embankment sections. Maximum vertical stress and movement has been calculated under seismic load combination in normal operation phase. However, the calculated stressess and horizontal movements are remained in allowable boundries. Key Words: Concrete face rockfil dam (CFRD), dam behaviour under hydraulic water load, stresses inside rockfill embankment of dam.