A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology

The seismic performance evaluation of Xayaburi Hydro Power Plant{u201F}s Spillway on the Mekong River, is presented. A three dimensional finite element model of the spillway, including radial gates, water and rock foundation is prepared. Calibration and validation of the water modeling as solid elem ents which contains mechanical properties of water, is carried out through comparison between the measured and analytical model for hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressure of water. Comparison are made for considering mass of foundation and massless foundati on. Three models, different in size, are first analyzed using linear time history and hydrostatic and dynamic forces on trunnions, maximum displacement and acceleration at the crests of piers with comparison between models due to size effects are presented . Upper contraction joints of structure considered in a separated analysis. The effects of structure joint are discussed when modeling the opposite faces of joints with and without links in between. Then nonlinear time history analysis is conducted for one block of the spillway. Reduction of maximum and minimum displacement considering steel bar in both face of piers, are reported at the critical points of piers. The safety of the spillway against sliding and overturning is conducted. Finally, the seismic p erformance of the spillway is evaluated regarding the principle stresses, sliding and overturning.

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2014