Effect of correlated random fields on nonlinear dynamic responses of gravity dam

Uncertainty will inevitably be introduced into the structural analysis, while randomness is an important manifestation of uncertainty. Based on the random field theory, the correlated random fields of the Koyna gravity dam were realized, and the influence of the randomness of material parameters on the nonlinear responses of the gravity dam was investigated. A concrete continuum crack model was employed to describe the nonlinear mechanical behavior of gravity dams under static and dynamic loads. To avoid the contingency caused by the initial random samples, the comparisons of the nonlinear dynamic responses of the dam are based on the statistical analysis of a large number of random fields. The parameter sensitivity analysis is first implemented, and then, the nonlinear responses of the proposed correlated random field model and the conventional random variable-based model are comprehensively compared. The analysis showed that the randomness and spatial correlation of materials would affect the seismic performance of gravity dams, which should be considered in structural design and seismic risk analysis.