Investigation on the scaling effects of damage to concrete gravity dams subjected to underwater explosion

Key Points

• This study aims to analyze the damage scaling effects in gravity dams due to underwater explosions, focusing on material heterogeneity.
• Developed a numerical model for gravity dam underwater explosions using microscopic numerical modeling techniques.
• Conducted physical model tests to validate the numerical model and examine differences between microscopic and traditional modeling.
• Analyzed the influence of explosive equivalent, initiation distance, and aggregate particle size on damage scaling effects.
• Findings indicate a need to maintain a ratio of 'shock wave characteristic wavelength/maximum aggregate size' greater than 15 to mitigate damage scaling effects.
• Numerical simulations confirm material heterogeneity significantly impacts scaling effects of damage during underwater explosions.
• Validation through multiple physical model test cases supports the proposed similarity criteria for scaling effects.