System Reliability Analysis of Concrete Arch Dams Considering Foundation Rock Wedges Movement: A Discussion on the Limit Equilibrium Method

In this paper, a discussion on the applicability and limitations of the limit equilibrium method is presented. In this manner, the reliability of a concrete arch dam-foundation system under static loading is evaluated by considering a set of potentially moveable rock wedges in the foundation. The safety of the system is assessed utilizing a quasi-analytical method, which employs the limit equilibrium method and numerical analysis to calculate the sliding safety factors and the dam trust forces, respectively. The reliability is evaluated using the Latin Hypercube Sampling method. Random variables in the system are the friction angle, cohesion, and the Grout Curtain Efficiency Coefficient. In the end, the influence of two parametric variables of discontinuities, elastic slip and rock mass deformability modulus, on the rock wedges’ sliding safety factor is evaluated by comparing the results of the quasi-analytical method with the purely numerical method. The results show that in the case of complicated geotechnical conditions, the limit equilibrium method may not reflect real-world failure scenarios.