Finite element model calibration of berke arch dam using operational modal testing

This paper presents the finite element calibration of Berke Arch Dam by using Operational Modal Testing. Achievement of this purpose involves structural vibration characteristics of Berke Arch Dam using analytical and Operational Modal Analyses. Therefore, the study has two parts - analytical and experimental. In the analytical part of the study, the authors developed a 3D finite element model of Berke Arch Dam-reservoir-foundation system using ANSYS software, and analytically determined vibration characteristics such as natural frequencies and mode shapes. In the experimental part of the study, sensitive accelerometers were placed to several points of Berke Arch Dam, and ambient vibration tests were conducted over four days to obtain dynamic characteristics. The Enhanced Frequency Domain Decomposition technique is used to estimate natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios of the Berke Arch Dam experimentally. Results showed that there were some differences between analytical and experimental natural frequencies of the dam. Therefore, an analytical model of Berke Arch Dam was calibrated to minimize these differences by changing material properties. Analytical results obtained from the calibrated model mainly conform to those of the experimental model.