ABSTRACT
This work presents an update study of the structural evaluation of the Foz Tua arch dam, recently built by EDP – Energias De Portugal in the north of Portugal, for foundation failure scenarios including the geological conditions encountered during the excavation works and geotechnical surveys. For this purpose, a three-dimensional discrete element model was developed using the 3DEC software to evaluate the potential failure mechanisms through the rock mass discontinuities, in which the main geological structures found in both banks were considered. The safety evaluation methodology based on the progressive reduction of the shear strength of rock discontinuities is presented, as well as the numerical results obtained with the discrete model. This study allowed the identification of potentially unstable rock blocks in the downstream slopes which, however, did not compromise the safety of the dam, verifying the compliance with safety standards.
