Comparison of Identified Models for Static Deformation of Arch Dam

The traditional procedure for structural health monitoring of large dams is based on visual inspections. The shortcomings of visual inspections, such as significant labor demands and inaccessible locations, can be addressed with the monitoring systems based on dynamic and static tests. The structural health of a large dam cannot be continuously monitored from structural vibration because vibration is insignificant except when earthquakes happen. The use of measured static deformation can be an alternative way to continuously monitor the dam. This paper presents an investigation and comparison of various identified models for the measured static deformation for structural health monitoring (SHM) of Fui-Tsui dam, which is located in a very active seismic zone of Taiwan. The identified models characterize the measured static deformation as functions of the measured water level, temperature, and seasonal temperature variation. These identified models can also be used to predict long-term deformation for the structural health monitoring of Fui-Tsui dam.