Real time monitoring for analysis of dam stability: Potential of nonlinear elasticity and nonlinear dynamics approaches

Abstract

Large dams are complex structures with nonlinear dynamic behavior. Engineers often are forced to assess dam safety based on the available incomplete data, which is extremely difficult. This important problem can be solved with the modern theory of complex systems. It is possible to derive characteristics of the whole unknown dynamics of a structure using few data sets of certain carefully selected representative parameter(s). By means of high quality continuous records of some geotechnical characteristic(s) of a dam and modern methods of time series linear/nonlinear analysis the main dynamical features of the entire, unknown process (here—dam deformation) can be analyzed. ƒWe created the cost-effective Monitoring Telemetric System for Dam Diagnostics (DAMWATCH), which consists of sensors (tiltmeters), terminal and central controllers connected by the GSM/GPRS Modem to the diagnostic center. The tilt data recorded for varying reservoir level are compared with static design model of dam deformations computed by a finite element method (FEM) for the dam-reservoir-foundation system. Besides, recently developed linear/nonlinear data analysis and prediction schemes may help to quantify fine dynamical features of the dam behavior. The software package DAMTOOL has been developed for this purpose. ƒThe differences between measured and theoretically predicted response parameters of the dam may signal abnormal behavior of the object. The data obtained already by testing of the DAMWATCH/DAMTOOL system during operation of the high Enguri arc dam and reservoir (Georgia) show interesting long-term and short-term patterns of tilts in the dam body, which can be used for dam diagnostics. The proposed real-time telemetric monitoring (DAMWATCH) complex and linear/nonlinear dynamical analysis system (DAMTOOL) are unique.

Keywords

real time monitoring / telemetry / dam tilts / diagnostic tools / hysteresis / nonlinear dynamics

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