Engineer values finite element method in dam design analysis
SANTO DOMINGO. - At the time of take decisions With respect to dam design “The finite element method” (MEF) manages to address soil-fluid-structure interaction problems for seismic analysis and predict more effectively the behavior of a concrete dam, said the engineering doctor nelson lafontaine.
During the talk “Seismic analysis of dams using the finite element method”, carried out in the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) by the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI) and the Dominican Committee of Large Dams (Domcold), Dr. Lafontaine commented that traditional methods of dam analysis are simplistic and often use high safety factors due to the uncertainties that present the hypotheses on which these methods are based. However, with MEF you can obtain and evaluate reasonable and accurate safety factors.
The teacher of INTEC said that the MEF is an approach technique with which it is intended roughly solve differential equations partials that govern the behavior of a given problem, and whose analytical solution is difficult to obtain through traditional mathematical procedures or is simply impossible.
Therefore, Lafontaine refers that from the engineering point of view the analytical solution is not interested. “With MEF you can simulate and assess the damage status of a dam before, during a seismic event. Moreover, with MEF it is possible to assess whether the dam is able to maintain and sustain the reservoir after the damage caused by a seismic event, ”said Lafontaine
The engineer stated that the tension state of the dam it is obtained directly in the finite elements and MEF can assess dynamic collapse during an earthquake and static collapse after the earthquake.
The activity is part of the series of talks aimed at the community of entities, professionals, academics and students interested in the topic of dams, and aims to raise awareness of technical aspects of the projects of dams in the country and address related technical issues with the design and construction of the dams.
When pronouncing some opening words, the engineer Franklin Reynoso, deputy technical director of INDRHI, said the country has about 22 or 23 large dams of multiple use for hydrology and to produce energy, but only 9% of the falling water is being dammed.
"Water is essential, so it is important to keep reservoirs and dams, that is, our development depends on water and we still have very few dams," said Reynoso, who said in the analysis of the professions of the future we talk about This issue, however, the use of water is the key and begins with dams and irrigation canals.
The engineer encouraged INTEC students to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the academy and to study everything related to dams.
On his side, the engineer Jose Armenteros, Chairman of the domcoldHe said that prey they are the way to manage the most used water in the world and it's done because his main job is correct time irregularities, regularize the amount of water and check that there is no really dry season.
Armenteros said that the Committee he directs is proud of the opportunity that INDRHI has given him to organize this cycle of talks for the benefit of students from various universities. "The participation of the universities of the Dominican Republic in the coordination of these activities is important and, for this reason, we particularly want to thank and congratulate INTEC for the opportunity it has given the Committee to hold this series of meetings."