Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation (2022) 7:31

https://doi.org/10.1007/s41024-022-00169-y

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Design optimization of non‑overflow section of a concrete gravity

dam
Batta Jaya Naga Satish1 · Chava Venkatesh2 · B. Anitha Reddy3 · Komma Hemanth Kumar Reddy4 ·
Ramamohana Reddy Bellum5

Received: 20 June 2021 / Revised: 22 December 2021 / Accepted: 1 February 2022

© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022

Abstract
The ever-increasing demand for concrete used in the construction and infrastructure field leads to increasing global pol-
lution over the decades. Hence, the construction field should look always for using its raw materials in sustainable ways
without affecting the functionality of the structure. Design optimization is one such decision-making strategy in providing
an engineered solution with maximum reliability, environmental sustainability and cost efficiency of constructed facilities.
In the present study, the design optimization of a non-overflow section of a concrete gravity dam has been studied. The
modelling and analysis of the non-overflow section of the concrete gravity dam have been carried out in the FEM package
ANSYS along with appropriate algorithms. The parameters considered for the algorithmic optimization of the typical dam
section are geometrical properties of the Dam as design variables (for fixed height and freeboard) to minimize the volume of
concrete without compromising on loading and factor of safety requirements as per IS code provisions. The current work is
focused on optimizing the non-overflow section of a concrete gravity dam by the reduction in its volume, to its weight which
is always in direct proportion. Decreasing the dam’s weight is must both from the sustainable design and economical point
of view. All effective load combinations (as per IS: 6512-2003) where the dam is subjected to maximum loads under ideal
operating conditions are considered for stress analysis and optimization. The results of the optimization are presented and
discussed in this paper. This study observed that the reduction of 9.95% weight of non-overflow section for concrete grav-
ity dam without actually compromising on the increased factor of safety, which is in association with its functioning under
standard normal operating conditions subjects to IS code provisions. Also, green house gas C ­ O2 emission can be reduced,
indicating the sustainable design solution for massive constructions like concrete gravity dam.

Keywords  Concrete gravity dam · Design optimization · Non-overflow section · Sustainable design · CO2 emission

1 Introduction

The ever-increasing demand for concrete used in the con-

* Batta Jaya Naga Satish struction and infrastructure field leads to increasing global
satishbjnvignan@gmail.com
pollution over the decades. Hence, the construction field
1
Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited, should look always for using its raw materials in sustain-
Hyderabad 500037, India able ways without affecting the functionality of the structure.
2
Department of Civil Engineering, CVR College Design optimization is one such decision-making strategy
of Engineering, Ibrahimpatnam, Hyderabad, in providing an engineered solution with maximum reli-
Telangana 501510, India ability, environmental sustainability and cost efficiency of
3
Department of Applied Engineering, VFSTR University, constructed facilities. Since the construction of massive con-
Vadlamudi, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India crete structures such as Dams and Bridges consumes a large
4
Department of Civil Engineering, K.S.R.M College amount of concrete, Design optimization for minimization
of Engineering, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh 516003, India of construction costs and environmental impact has been
5
Department of Civil Engineering, Aditya Engineering attracted in recent years [1–4]. Concrete is most commonly
College, Aditya Nagar, ADB Road, Surampalem, used for civil infrastructures and buildings, is a composite
E.G District 533437, India

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