Dam Stability Analysis
About the Software
The software performs stability analyses of concrete gravity dams (with or without drainage), masonry dams, and slab and buttress dams. It can be used both for the design of new dams and for the safety assessment of existing structures.
The software is intuitive and user-friendly, offering the following features:
Dam Cross-Section: A module for easy drawing of dam cross-sections and automatic calculation of self-weight and hydrostatic loads acting on the dam.
Interactive Visualization: An interactive graphical view displaying the dam cross-section and uplift pressure distribution. The figure updates automatically whenever input data is modified. Foundation slopes beneath the dam can also be included.
Uplift Pressure: Automatic generation of uplift pressure distributions beneath the dam based on the selected limit state and dam type.
Manual Adjustment of Uplift Pressure: Uplift pressure distributions can also be entered and adjusted manually when required.
Resultant Force Position: The software can iteratively adjust uplift pressure distributions to achieve force equilibrium within the dam section.
Loads: Standard load cases include ice pressure, rock anchors, post-tensioned anchors, hydrostatic pressure, and uplift pressure. Additional loads can easily be added.
Stability Analysis: The software evaluates stability against both sliding and overturning, expressed either as a safety factor or by the position of the resultant relative to the foundation.
Limit State Analysis: Safety is evaluated for serviceability, ultimate, and accidental limit states.
Safety Levels: Safety factors and partial factors are predefined according to the selected dam type and limit state. These values can also be adjusted manually.
Design Methodology: Safety can be evaluated using either:
Global Safety Factors (according to Norwegian Dam Safety Regulations), or
Partial Safety Factors (according to the Eurocodes).
Key Benefits
Fast and efficient modelling of dam cross-sections
Automatic load and uplift calculations
Interactive visualization of inputs and results
Flexible load definitions
Support for multiple dam types
Built-in quality assurance through validation and error checking
Standardized reporting and documentation
Dam Stability Software
Tailored Solutions for Gravity and Buttress Dams
Examples of Dam Sections Modelled in the Software
Future Development and New Features
Our goal is to develop the software into a comprehensive platform for the safe operation, inspection, and maintenance of dam facilities.
As part of the ongoing development, we plan to implement several new modules, including:
Hydraulic analysis for spillways and floodgates.
Dam condition assessment, including inspection checklists and risk assessments.
Instrumentation management, including planning, monitoring, and evaluation of measurement data from dam instrumentation systems.
International Adaptability
Our software provides accurate stability analyses for concrete and masonry dams in accordance with national regulations and engineering standards.
Its flexible design allows it to be easily adapted to local requirements, making it suitable for dam safety assessments and design projects worldwide.
A future extension also include Stability analysis of gated dams. By continuously expanding the software's functionality, we aim to provide dam owners, consultants, and regulatory authorities with a single integrated solution for dam safety management throughout the entire lifecycle of a dam.
The software has been developed to provide accurate and efficient stability analyses of concrete and masonry dams. When regulations or design requirements change, analyses stored in the software can be automatically updated to reflect the latest stability criteria.
We continuously update and improve the software to expand its capabilities and support evolving industry requirements. Planned future developments include:
Quasi-static analysis of seismic loads for earthquake assessments
Calculation of earth pressure loads acting on both the upstream and downstream sides of the dam
Extended stability analyses that include the foundation, allowing users to define weak zones and uplift pressure conditions within the foundation.
Future releases will also include design and verification tools for rock anchors, including calculations of required grouted bond lengths for rock bolts and post-tensioned anchors.
Through continuous development, we aim to provide a comprehensive and user-friendly platform for dam safety assessments, design verification, and long-term asset management.
Contact
Questions? Send us an email or leave a message using the contact form.
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DamSolutions AS
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Phone
+47 928 20 785