Monitoring vibrations in large dams

Abstract

This paper focuses on studying the dynamic behaviour of large dams over time, including identification of modal parameters (natural frequencies, modal damping ratios and mode shapes) and seismic response analysis, based on measured acceleration time histories. A comparison between experimental results obtained from continuous vibration monitoring data and numerical modelling results from 3D FE models is presented. The aim is to emphasize the interest of combining the use of recorded data from continuous dynamic monitoring systems and of numerical modelling software for seismic and structural health monitoring of dams.