Analysis of absorption effects on the dynamic response of dam reservoir systems by boundary element methods

Using reciprocal theorems for dynamic and static boundary value problems, boundary integral equations are presented for wave propagation in elastic, isotropic media and compressible, inviscid fluids in the time domain as well as in the frequency domain. For the analysis of fluid–soil and fluid–structure systems, suitable coupling conditions are prescribed along the interfaces. The numerical treatment of the boundary integral equations consists of a point collocation and of a discretization of the boundary, in which constant and linear approximation functions are assumed. Step‐by‐step integration is applied to the time‐dependent equations, where again the states are taken to be linear and constant over each time interval. These boundary element procedures are used to analyse the response of dams due to horizontal and vertical ground motions considering dam–water interaction and absorption of hydrodynamic pressure waves at the reservoir bottom or at the far end into the soil medium. Both the frequency response and the impulse generated transient response are investigated.