Modeling the cracks opening–closing and possible remedial sawing operation of AAR-affected dams

•New F E Software to model displacement discontinuities in AAR-affected structures.•The model can evaluate the potential efficiency of stress release by sawing of dams.•It can help the engineer to choice of the number of cutting lines and their size.•The model allows also following cracks evolution in the AAR-affected structures.•It takes into account the effect of the anisotropy and the stiffness reduction.