In addition, the quiet artificial boundary condition is used for the bottom of the foundation. The free-field boundary condition that is a very important boundary condition for the nonlinear seismic analyses is considered for the lateral boundaries of the 3D model. These boundary conditions are free-field and quiet boundary conditions. Very special seismic boundary conditions rarely used for CFR dams in the past are used in this work. Moreover, the concrete slab is modelled considering the Drucker–Prager nonlinear material model to represent the nonlinearity of the concrete. The Mohr–Coulomb nonlinear material model is used for the rockfill materials and foundation. Therefore, the special interface elements are defined between the dam body, concrete slab, and foundation to represent the interaction condition. The dam body, foundation, and concrete slab constantly interact during the lifetime of the CFRDs.

The 3D finite difference model of the Ilısu dam is created using the FLAC3D software based on the finite difference method. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) seismic behaviour of the Ilısu dam built on the East Anatolian Fault (EAF) line is examined considering the effect of the important various far-fault earthquakes. For this reason, the nonlinear earthquake behaviour of these dams should be constantly observed taking into account the seismicity of the zone.

Examination of the seismic behaviour of a CFR dam built on the seismic zone is very important to assess the safety and future of the dam. In the recent times, many huge concrete face rockfill dams (CFRDs) have been modelled and constructed in the world, and many of these dams are located on the strong earthquake zones.

3d earthquake models