ABSTRACT
A lot of computation time is required for the analysis of the long-term thermo-mechanical behavior of RCC dams using 2-D models. In this paper a modified 1-D strip model is presented which allows simulating the long-term behavior of temperature and stresses in the core of a RCC dam at low CPU time cost. The FE program COMET developed by the International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE) in Barcelona is used for the thermo-mechanical analysis of RCC dams taking into account the behavior of concrete, the evolutionary construction process and ambient conditions. The predictions of the modified 1-D model are compared with the temperature data obtained from a series of thermometers which are installed in Rialb RCC dam (Spain). Results of such simulations can be used as input parameters for 2-D or 3-D models or if decisions on the construction schedule or on the placing temperature have to be made during the construction phase.
