Abstract
A coupled thermal-structural analysis is carried out using both a two- and a three-dimensional finite-element method. The computer program ANSYS is used and simulates the construction process of a roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam. Thermally induced stresses are computed for the 60 m high RCC Tannur Dam in Jordan. The actual temperature distribution in the body of the dam measured by thermocouples is compared with that obtained by ANSYS; generally, a good agreement is obtained. The study demonstrates that detailed thermal stress analysis should be performed for large RCC dams to provide a basis to minimize and control the occurrence of thermal cracking.