Comparative study on calculation methods of stress in different sections of gravity dam

In order to compare the difference between dam sections at different locations and different calculation models, this paper uses the material mechanics method, finite element independent dam section model and overall foundation model to compare different dam sections of gravity dams. The results show that for the riverbed dam section with a gentle foundation, the calculation results of the three methods are similar, and the vertical compressive stress difference at the heel of the dam is within 0.18 MPa. For the bank slope dam section, the calculation error of the material mechanics is relatively large. The vertical compressive stress at the heel of the dam is smaller than the result of the finite element method and can reach 4.67 MPa. The overall foundation model of the bank slope dam section has a larger tensile stress area, and the stress value increases up to 2.61 MPa. The vertical stress of the foundation surface of the bank slope dam section of the independent dam section model is the compressive stress, while the overall foundation model has tensile stress.