Behaviour of elevated concrete water tower under dynamic loads

Abstract

Loads on elevated water towers during an earthquake produce a complex stress field in the structure. The mechanically different properties of two principal materials, reinforced concrete and water are the main cause. The finite element method using coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) model approach can provide the wanted answers. Two cases are considered in this paper. The water can freely move inside the water tower and in the other case without the movement on the water (the water is just a mass added to the structure). The conclusions are highlighted using the displacement values in the highest points of the structure.