CENTRIFUGE MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF CONCRETE GRAVITY DAMS

In gravity darns, crack growth is inhibited by gravitational effects; thus, correct model testing can only be accomplished in a centrifuge w here the gravitational field is inversely proportional to the scale. F ollowing an overview of centrifugal testing, this paper reports on the first centrifuge testing of concrete gravity dam models. Test results are then contrasted with numerical predictions using fracture-mechani cs-based finite-element analysis. The paper concludes with recommendat ions for further investigation on this new and innovative testing tech nique.