The application of element-free method to approximate calculation of arch dam crack propagation

An approximate method for tackling the problem of arch dam fracture is presented. By this method the arch dam is divided into several sections in the arch dam direction. Nodes are distributed and the crack propagation is solely considered in each section. All sections are combined through interfaces to form the whole arch dam. In the example, the lateral constraint stiffness is estimated from the result obtained from FEM, then the crack propagation is simulated for the crest section of the arch dam and the failure length along the base of the dam is estimated. The result shows that element free method(EFM) is convenient and effective in simulation calculation of arch dam fracture.