The finite element equivalent stress method is one of the two checkout critera ordered by the new design specification for concrete arch dams, and it is a new strength design criterion too. The finite element stresses and the finite element equivalent stresses in the arch dam in KUIZHE river power plant are calculated by using today's popular international finite element software ANSYS7.1, and the latter is checked by the corresponding strength criterion in the design specification. An example of the finite...