Analysis of the behavior of embankment dams under seismic loading

Abstract

Researchers and Engineers are currently attempting to remediate earth dams to prevent damaging effects of potential seismic loading. The actual state of knowledge needs to be improved at least in the two following fields: soil properties and seismic response calculation techniques. Moreover, the effect of earthquake acceleration on the response of the dam needs to be further understood especially as far as amplification effects are concerned. In this paper, the assessment of the failure is given both from geotechnical as well seismic points of view. A comprehensive parametric study covering the effects of soil cohesion and soil friction angle on the values of yield accelerations is carried out. A dynamic factor of safety has been established as a function of earthquake acceleration. Furthermore, the outcomes on crest response spectra of input earthquake acceleration, soil shear wave velocity, and reduction of soil small strain shear modulus Gmax with induced deformations is deeply analyzed. Results are promising and will be a contribution to the geotechnical earthquake dam engineering domain.