Abstract: In order to explore the impact of concrete performance degradation on the seismic performance of gravity dams in cold area, the dynamic response analysis of a gravity dam was carried out through concrete freezing-thawing cyclic tests and numerical simulations.Based on the results of the material dynamic test, the damage of the dam during an earthquake was simulated, the stress, displacement and failure of the dam during the earthquake excitation were simulated, and an overall damage cumulative quantified area formula for the gravity dam was deduced using the damage factor and the corresponding area of damaged zone.According to the results, strong earthquakes caused the most obvious damage at the downstream slope turning point and the dam heel; the freezing-thawing cycle had a significant impact on the overall damage degree; placing frost-resistant concrete in the freezing-thawing area of the downstream slope turning point could improve the overall seismic performance of the dam.The conclusions can be applied to the seismic design of concrete gravity dams in cold areas.