Studies on the static and dynamic behaviour of the Sayano-Shushenskaya arch gravity dam

After impounding of the reservoir at the Sayano Sushensk dam, it became apparent that the stress-strain state of the dam exceeded the design values. A study was therefore necessary to check the interaction of the dam with its rock foundation and the water stored in the reservoir. This paper presents the main results of computations carried out, including the behaviour of the dam under static loads and seismic impacts, and the load carrying capacity of the dam-rock-reservoir system. It was thus possible to identify the most problematic zones in the dam foundation.