Complete Adjustment Method for Analyzing Arch Dams

The method assumes the arch dam to be divided into two systems of elements, arches and cantilevers, which are formed by voussoirs. In the voussoirs at the crossing of arches and cantilevers all the internal forces and external loads are considered and the complete set of equations of equilibrium is established. Also considered are the three components of linear displacements and the six rotations of the normals to the faces. For reasons of continuity and of equilibrium of shear stresses, it is shown that the torsions of the horizontal and vertical axes are not independent and that the vertical and tangential displacements must be taken simultaneously. The internal forces are obtained by solving a system of equations of compatibility which express equal displacements at the crossing of arches and cantilevers. Both systems of elements are analyzed for triangular unit loads, for which the coefficient of influence of the various displacements are determined. The method presents a matrix formulation for the arches and a general formula for the cantilevers.