Computers & Strucrurt-s Vol. 64, No. 1-t pp.

849-855, 1997
Q 1997 Civil-Comp Ltd and Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Pergamon Printed in Great Britain
PII: SO0457949(96)00420-g GM%-7949/97 $17.00 + 0.00

COMPUTATION OF MEMBRANE SHAPES AND ANALYSIS

OF ARCH DAMS
V. Dias da Silva and E. N. B. S. JQlio
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3049 COIMBRA Codex, Portugal

Abstract-The present paper describes numerical techniques for the computational simulation of the
membrane method for shape determination of arch dams and subsequent stress analysis of the dam shell.
The method is based on the nonlinear computation of membrane deformation using the finite-element
method. Techniques are presented for the automatic mesh generation for the membrane and for the shell
problems. The presented software package allows the computational analysis of all steps from the shape
determination to the stress analysis. Examples are included. 0 1997 Civil-Comp Ltd and Elsevier
Science Ltd.

1. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SHAPE
Arch dams are the only dams which resist water
loading by the compressive strength of the concrete
from which they are built. In all other types of dams
the self-weight and the shear strength play an
important role.
If adequate bulk is given to the arch dam, it is
theoretically possible that the whole concrete of the
dam works under the same stress (for a given
loading), which describes the most rational utilization
of the material. This means that there are no bending
moments installed in the shell, since otherwise the
stress would vary in its thickness. However, this can
only happen if the arch dam has the shape of a
funicular of the loading (hydrostatic load and dead
weight) and the thickness varies according to the
normal forces in the shell. Now, it must be pointed
out that contrary to a load distributed on a line, for
a load distributed. on a surface-like the water
pressure in the upstream fact of a dam-there is an
infinity of funicular forms.
The search of a shape which satisfies this condition
in the most demanding loading case-full reservoir-
and also behaves well in other loading conditions,
namely an empty reservoir, is of a crucial importance
for the design of an economical and safe dam.
2. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT THE
MEMBRANE METHOD
2.1. Physical description
The membrane method has become the most
successful way to model the form of an arch dam.
However, before the computer was available, this
technique had to be used experimentally. The test
consists of a rubber membrane initially flat, fixed in
a frame with the form of the abutments of the dam
in the slopes of the valley, which is loaded by water
pressure (simulating the hydrostatic load) and by
forces acting vertically upwards, which correspond to
the self-weight of the dam. The deformed membrane
has the form of a funicular of the loads, since it has
no bending stiffness.
If all forces are reversed, the equilibrium is
preserved and the tensile stresses become compres-
sive. On a first view this would mean that in a dam
shell with that form, it is possible to have only
compressive stresses which do not vary in thickness.
However, this is not completely true, since, as the
shell has bending stiffness, its deformation induces
bending moments, especially in the abutments.
However, the experience collected using this
method and testing the obtained forms shows that
forms may be obtained which are generally free from
tensile stresses [ 1,2].
The experimental membrane method has the
disadvantage of being very time and cost expensive,
so that, from the results obtained by this method,
empirical rules were developed, in order to avoid the
experimental shape determination.
2.2. Computational simulation of the membrane
method
After the appearance of the computer and the
development of numerical tools for structural
analysis suitable to be used on it-like the
finite-element method-it became possible not only
to calculate stresses and displacements, but also to get
the membrane shape by numerical means [3]. This
shape depends on the form of the membrane fixation,
the thickness and the rheological behaviour of the
membrane material.
The numerical determination of the membrane
deformation is much faster and cheaper than the
experimental one and, as opposed to the experimental

CAS 61/14---ELI 849

850 V. Dias da Silva and E. N. B. S. JClio

FE-analysis
Non-linear
for the
FE-analysis
calculation of
Automatic mesh for the iterative
stresses and
generation for calculation of
displacements
the membrane the membrane
in the shell
equilibrium
(commercial
configurations
program)

Fig. 1. Software modules for the numerical shape determination and stress analysis of arch dams.

12311 ypy )

2 z

4 b)
Fig. 2. (a) Definition of the valley form and macro elements for FE mesh generation; (b) angle G(and /3
for definition of the initial membrane configuration.

tests, in the computational simulation it is very easy
to vary the problem parameters, especially the
constitutive law of the membrane material. It is even
possible to use a fictitious material behaviour, which
does not exist in real materials. This gives the
numerical simulation many more possibilities than
the experimental way offers.
3. THE PROGRAM
3.1. Outline
The computer program developed in the Depart-
ment of Civil Engineering of the University of
Coimbra for the automatic shape determination and
structural analysis of arch dams consists of the
modules represented in Fig. 1.
3.2. Starting parameters and mesh generation
The form of the valley is defined by the coordinates
of eleven points distributed as shown in Fig. 2.
The middle point, 6, is the origin of the reference
system. Points 12 to 15 are uniformly distributed
on the line between points 1 and 11. The position
of points 16 to 19 may be on any point on the
lines between 3 and 13, 5 and 13, 7 and 14 and 9
and 14, respectively. These nineteen points define
the eight macro elements shown in Fig. 2a. Each
macro element is then divided in four or sixteen
quadrilateral membrane elements with eight or nine
nodes.
Once defined, the nodal point coordinates in the
xy-plane the coordinates z are calculated. In the first
stage it is assumed that the membrane lies in an
inclined plane, defined by a rotation CIof the vertical
plane xy around the z-axis (Fig. 2b). On performing
a projection in the z-direction, the cylindrical surface
defined by angle p is then obtained (Fig. 2b). The
objective of this procedure is to achieve a
double-curvature shell, even when the valley slopes
have a constant inclination. A perspective of the
membrane start configuration in a trapezoidal valley
is shown in Fig. 3.
The thickness must be entered as data to the FE
membrane analysis, since the corresponding program
computes the dead weight from a given thickness
distribution. In the standard version of the program
the thickness is assumed to have a linear variation
between top and bottom. However, it is simple to
program other laws of variation [4]. The membrane
mesh generation program interpolates this data and
puts it in a form suitable to be used in the FE
analysis.

Fig. 3. Membrane start configuration in a trapezoidal valley. Fig. 4. Exponential material law.
 3(-l, 1)
W, 1)
W,l)
Computation of membranes of arch dams
1(-l, -1) L-$-q-7(1, -1)
7 Fig.
Fig. 5. Isoparametric membrane element of 9 nodes.
3.3. The membrane program
The membrane Sdeformation is calculated using the
nonlinear FE software FEPS [5]. Anisotropic, large
strain membrane (elements are used. The problem is
described in a lagrangean formulation. The search of
the equilibrium configuration is performed by the
Newton-Raphson method.
Initia[geometricalstt@ess. In the start configuration,
the membrane has neither material nor geometric
stiffness. For this reason, it is necessary to compute
an artificial geometric stiffness in order to avoid a
non-positive definite stiffness matrix in the first
iteration. This is performed by assuming a very small
membrane stress, as the iterative process is started up,
when the geometrical stiffness is computed.
Assumed rheologkal behaviour of the membrane
material. By manipulating the assumed constitutive
law for the membrane material, different membrane
shapes can be obtained. Only elastic behaviour is
considered. This has the advantage that the problem
remains conserval.ive.
In what concerns isotropy, two options are
considered: isotrolpic and orthotropic material. In the
second case a rheological behaviour is assumed with
zero tangential stiffness in the orthotropy directions.
This orthotropic law displays less convergence
problems than the isotropic one.
______membrane middle surface;
membrane nodes;
? shell nodes.
Fig. 6. Generation of volume elements for the shell.
851
u I v
7. Mesh of 9-node membrane elements for a
symmetrical valley.
In what concerns linearity, linear and nonlinear
constitutive laws are considered. The nonlinear law
has the analytical expression
d = ~(1 - e-m).
With this law, the stress is automatically limited to
the value a0 (Fig. 4). The parameter G(determines the
initial material stiffness (Young’s moduli). However,
this material law is not yet implemented. It is
intended to be used in further work.
Avoiding compressive stresses. In the iterative process
it is possible that in some points negative membrane
strains appear. However, compressive stresses cannot
be resisted, since the membrane does not have
compressive stiffness. Besides, if they are computed,
they lead to negative geometric stiffness, which may
result in a non-positive definite stiffness matrix and,
as a consequence, in the abortion of the iterative
process. Therefore, the routine which calculates the
stress state and the material stiffness for a given strain
state includes an algorithm to identify such strain
states.
In the case of an isotropic material, the algorithm
obeys the following scheme:
(1) The principal strains (~1 and 62) and directions
(0, and f3,) of the strain state are calculated.
There are four possibilities:
l both principal strains are positive;
l 6, > 0 and c2 < 0;
a &I< 0 and t2 > 0;
l both principal strains are negative.
Fig. 8. Membrane deformation after IO load increments.
852 V. Dias da Silva and E. N. B. S. Jiilio

Fig. 11. Membrane deformation after 50 load increments.

Fig. 9. Membrane deformation after 20 load increments.

edge of the membrane suffers a vertical displacement

(2a) First case: the assumed constitutive law may be
during the deformation. This induces a small error,
used directly, since there are no negative strains.
since the top edge of the dam should be horizontal.
(2b) Second case: it must be investigated if the
The same occurs in the membrane shape obtained by
negative principal strain would lead to a
computational means, if the loading is applied in one
negative principal stress. This is done by
step.
calculating the strain in the principal direction
In order to avoid this, the numerical simulation is
2 (6;) for the given value of cl and zero stress in
performed stepwise. The membrane stiffness is given
direction 2.
a value, such that the deformation is relatively small.
l If c2 > t;, both principal stresses are positive,
The deformed configuration is then used as a start
which means that the assumed constitutive law
configuration for the next loading step. The
may be used directly.
above-referred disadvantage is avoided by neglecting
l If ~2< &, u1 is positive and c2 is zero. After 0,
the displacements in the x and y directions, adding
is calculated, the components of the stress
only the displacement in the z-direction, when the
state in the given coordinates are calculated
geometry updating is performed. Since the defor-
using angles 8, and e2.
mation is small, the error introduced by this
(2c) Third case: proceed as in the second case, but procedure in the equilibrium is also small.
changing the roles of the indices 1 and 2.
The stepwise evaluation of the membrane defor-
(2d) Fourth case: both principal stresses are zero. mation has also the advantage that a series of
equilibrium configurations is obtained and not just
In the case of the referred orthotropic material one.
behaviour the algorithm is more simple, since the
principal directions of the stress and strain states are 3.4. FE mesh generation for the shell
the material orthotropy directions.
The structural analysis of the membrane shell is
performed using isoparametric volume elements with
Updating the geometry. With the experimental
20 nodes. The FE mesh is generated from the
membrane method arises the difficulty that the top

orthotropic material law

isotropic material law

Fig. 12. Comparison between the forms obtained with the

Fig. 10. Membrane deformation after 30 load increments. orthotropic and the isotropic material laws.
 Computation of membranes of arch dams 853

G = g-x,- x3 + x7 + x9) - Cl,

C9.Y = f(x, + x3 + x7 + x9) - c,, - G - Ch,

wherex,, . . , x9 represent the value of the coordinate

x on the element nodal points. For the coordinates y
and z, similar expressions are obtained.
A vector ii, which is normal to the surface defined
Fig. 13. FE mesh for the dam. by the form functions is obtained by the expressions

ay ay
--
membrane mesh by calculating the coordinates of the all, aq2 ay aZ ay aZ
supplementary nodes. In order to obtain this, the nx = aZ aZ =as,all,-Jy&
--
direction cosine of the normal to the middle surface aq, aq,
of the membrane must be calculated in each node.

-aZ -az
This is done by using the form functions of the
membrane elements. aql h2 az ax -- aZ ax
In the case of the 9-node element the form function 4 =
-
ax
ax =all,all,- aq2alt,
for the coordinate x takes the form (Fig. 5):
allI &i

--ax ax
ax ay ax ay
atl, aq2 =--_--
nz= --ay ay ati aq2 afh aq,’
The constants C,,, . . , Cs, are calculated from afh aq2
the conditions x(-- 1, - 1) = XI, . . . , x( 1,l) = ~9,
yielding The normalization of this vector gives the direction
cosine of the normal to the membrane. The
Cl, = x5 coordinates of the shell are then calculated, using the
shell thickness in the point under consideration
Ch = f(x* - x1) (Fig. 6).

c3, = f(X6- x4) 4. EXAMPLES

4.1. Symmetrical dam

c,, = f(X2- 2x5 + X8)
As a first example a symmetrical valley is
cs, = i(x, - x3 - x7 + x9) considered. The dam is 33.6 m high and 92.2 m wide
at the crown. A linear thickness distribution with 1 m
c,, = f(x, - 2x5 + X6) on the top and 4 m at the bottom is considered.

compressive stresses tensile stresses

Fig. 14. Principal stresses and directions on the upstream face.

854 V. Dias da Silva and E. N. B. S. Jlilio

compressive stresses

Fig. 15. Principal stresses and directions on the downstream face.

As the program with the exponential material

behaviour is not completely developed, only the
results obtained with the linear orthotropic and
isotropic laws are presented. The orthotropic law has
vertical and horizontal orthotropy directions.
The used FE mesh is depicted in Fig. 7 (xy plane).
In Figs 8 to 11 different equilibrium configurations
obtained with the orthotropic material law are
plotted. The last one was then used to generate the Fig. 17. Dam deformation under dead weight and
dam shell (Fig. 13). hydrostatic pressure.
In Fig. 12 the shapes obtained with the orthotropic
and the isotropic material laws are compared. It can
of equilibrium, if the tensile stresses are not resisted.
be pointed out that, for the same upstream overhang,
The Mohn-Coulomb yielding criteria was used in this
the orthotropic material law leads to a smaller
calculation. Figure 16 shows an upstream perspective
downstream overhang. However, it was observed
of the obtained principal stresses and directions.
that the stress distribution in the dam shell is a little
Although this picture is not very easy to visualize at
better in the shape obtained using the isotropic
first sight, it gives a good idea of how the loading is
material law.
carried to the abutments by arches and consoles and
In Figs 14 and 15 the stress distribution in the shell
of the zones, where there are bending moments
plotted in Fig. 13 at the up and downstream faces is
(strong stress variation in the thickness). It can be
presented. As the stress computation was performed
seen that these moments appear only nearby the
considering built-in abutments, significant tensile
built-in abutments.
stresses have been obtained at the upstream face in
In Fig. 17 the shell deformation under full loading
those points. However, an elastoplastic computation
is presented (dashed lines: deformed configuration).
with zero tensile strength shows that there is no loss
This deformation corresponds to a good dam
shape [6], since the deformed shape of the crown arch
displays a regular curvature and not a waved one.

5. CLOSlNG REMARKS

In traditional dam design it is much more difficult

Fig. 16. Principal stresses and directions (elastoplastic
analysis with the Mohr-Coulomb yielding criteria and zero
tensile strength).
to find an adequate shape for an arch dam in an
unsymmetrical valley than in a symmetrical one.
With the method presented the procedure is the same
for both and no supplementary difficulties were
encountered when the method was used in an
unsymmetrical example.
Some of the elements used in the stress analysis of
the dam shell have a bad aspect ratio. This is a result
of numerical experiments, which have shown that,
due to the slow stress variation in the membrane
 Computation of membranes of arch dams
surface, large elemlents can be used in these directions.
The bad aspect ratio is then caused by the small
thickness, when compared to the other two
dimensions of the elements. Besides, as four elements
were used in the thickness, to capture the bending and
shear deformation, the aspect ratio is even worse.
Despite this, no numerical problems appeared in the
FE analysis of the dam shell, which can be explained
by the fact that the elements are not distorted.
However, acceptalble results were also obtained with
two or even one element in the thickness.
REFERENCES
I. A. Portela Santa’s, M. C. Matos and .I. Laginha Serafim,
“Membrane shapes for arch dams”, in Arch Dams,
International Workshop on Arch Dams, Coimbra 5-9
855
April 1987, (Ed. Laginha Serafim and R. W. Clough) A.
A. Balkema, 1990.
2. M. Costa Pereira and J. Laginha Serafim, “Design of
arch dams using membrane shapes”, in Arch Dams,
International Workshop on Arch Dams, Coimbra 5-9
April 1987 (Ed. Laginha Serafim and R. W. Clough) A.
A. Balkema, 1990.
3. P. G. Smith, “Membrane shapes for shell structures”,
Ph.D. dissertation. Univ. of California. Berklev. 1969.
4. C. M. A. F. C. F: Sa Marques, V. D&s da Sl’lva and
M. H. F. Melao Barros, “Finite element model for the
analysis of arch dams and optima1 design by the
membrane method”, Inr. Symp. Arch Dams, Nanjing,
China, October 17-20, 1992.
5. H. Wiistenberg, “FEPS 3.3-finite element programming
system, element library”, ICA Report No. 22. Stuttgart,
1986.
6. Jean Martin, “The search of shapes for arch dams”
in Arch Dams, In!. Workshop on Arch Dams, Coimbra
5-9 April 1987 (Ed. Laginha Serafim and R. W. Clough)
A. A. Balkema, 1990.