The effects of friction coefficient on the nonlinear behavior of an arch dam with jointed foundation

This study aims at determining the influences of the friction coefficient on both the safety factor of the wedge based on the Londe method and the nonlinear behavior of an arch dam with a jointed foundation according to the finite element analysis. Two separate finite element models of the Bakhtiari arch dam (with integrated and jointed foundations) are developed as a case study. Four values are taken for the friction coefficient to study the effect of the joint’s parameters; the mentioned values are 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1. The results indicate that considering the joints in the foundation has a prominent role in the nonlinear response of the arch dam. Moreover, the maximum displacements and quantity of tensile damage on the dam body having a jointed foundation reduces when the friction coefficient increases.