E ect of Alkali-Aggregate Reactions in Concrete Dams Using Finite Element Method

Abstract

The e ect of Alkali-Aggregate Reactions (AAR) in concrete dams was investigated using the nite element method. Two models have been presented to assess the e ects of the AAR in concrete dams. The stress dependency of AAR strains has been taken into account in the models and the degradation of concrete properties during the reaction has been implemented in the nite element program. The results of the isothermal and nonisothermal analyses of a gravity section of a Beauharnois power plant have been presented and compared with the measured data and the results are in close agreement. The results of the analysis demonstrate the importance of the AAR in concrete dams. High stresses and large de ections occur in the dam during the reaction. Because of the stress dependency of the reaction, vertical displacements are smaller than horizontal displacements.