Spatial variation input effects on seismic response of arch dams

In the present paper, the seismic response of an arch dam subjected to spatial variation ofground motions along the interface with its foundations is investigated. recorded ground accelerationsat the dam foundation interface of an arch dam were used for the purpose of this investigation.topographic amplification between various points of the interface was studied by obtaining ratios of theresponse spectral displacement and spectral pseudo acceleration. time shift and amplification betweenstations show the nonuniform nature of ground motions for large structures like dams. recorded groundaccelerations were interpolated for different nodes of the finite element model. the seismic responsesof the karun iii dam subjected to multiple support excitations are determined. the results show thatnonuniform ground acceleration can have extensive effects on dam behavior and can increase theresponses. pseudo static displacement is the dominant part of total displacement for points near the damfoundation interface; however, dynamic displacement is more significant for the middle part of the dam.