Effect of temperature on stress distribution in arch dam

Temperature studies for arch dams are divided into two distinct parts. The first part is the operating temperature study to determine the temperature loading in the dam. The second part includes the construction temperature studies which are usually performed after an acceptable model has been obtained. The construction temperature studies are required to assure that the design closure temperature can be obtained while minimizing the possibility of thermally induced cracking. In this thesis, an arch dam is first designed in basin of Artvin Çoruh River according to the design criteria. Then, temperature studies for the dam are carried out, and temperature values in reservoir and dam according to water levels in reservoir are determined to investigate the water level effects on temperature response of the arch dam. This thesis consists of five chapters. In the first chapter, a literature survey associated with temperature studies of concrete dams is given in detail. This chapter also contains formulations associated with defining temperature in dam and its reservoir. In addition, the criteria of arch dam design are given in detail. In the second chapter, the design of an arch dam named as Çağlayan Arch Dam in basin of Artvin Çoruh River is introduced, and temperature studies are discussed. Third chapter contains the findings obtained from the temperature analyses. The conclusions and recommendations deduced from the analyses are given in chapter four. In this chapter, it is emphasized that temperature in the reservoir and dam should be considered in dynamic analyses of slender structures such as arch dams. Finally, references are presented in the fifth chapter. Keywords: Arch Dam Design, Temperature Studies, Finite Element Method