Determination of water level effects on the dynamic characteristics of a prototype arch dam model using ambient vibration testing

This study investigated the water level effects on the dynamic characteristics of a prototype arch dam model using ambient vibration testing were investigated. Achievement of this purpose involved construction of a prototype arch dam-reservoir-foundation model under laboratory. The dam body was constructed with 60 cm height. Ambient vibration tests on the arch dam estimated its natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios for different water levels. In the ambient vibration tests, ambient excitations are provided from small impact effects and the responses of the arch dam are measured. It can be stated from the study that natural frequencies are not overly changed among 0-30 cm water levels; however they are increased for higher water levels. The difference between the first natural frequencies of the arch dam obtained from empty reservoir (H = 0 cm) and full reservoir (H = 60 cm) is about 20-25%.