The possibilities of using structural reliability analysis in concrete dam design and assessment is investigated in Sweden. For such analysis statistical descriptions of the loads and resistances are necessary. Uplift pressure has a large impact on the safety and is difficult to quantify. In ‘Geostatistical approach for statistical description of uplift pressures: Part 1’*, the methodology of a geostatistical approach to simulate the uplift pressure was described, while in this paper the results are thoroughly represented.
The uplift force was found possible to describe as it is received from the assumption usually used in design, multiplied by a random parameter, C. Due to physical limitations C varies between 0-2. Similarly, for the moment from uplift pressure, Cm varies between 0-1.5.
Hydraulic conductivity beneath the dam was described as a random field with certain properties. A sensitivity analysis was performed for different variance and range. The results are stable for a range >4m, while the variance is more important. For small variance the pdf of C and Cm are narrow and normal-like, while for large variance they become wide and rectangular- or triangular-shaped, respectively.
The methodology is also tested for dams with drains and grout, buttress dams of different geometry. and for rock with an anisotropic correlation structure.
The conclusion is that the methodology is useful and gives a valuable statistical descriptions of the uplift pressure. This may be used as input when performing structural reliability analysis. For further improvement experimental data and three-dimensional simulation could be used.
