Progressive Failure of Lower San Fernando Dam

Abstract

Postearthquake deformation analyses of the lower San Fernando dam were conducted using an incremental finite‐element method. In the analyses, an undrained elastoplastic model was used to simulate the collapse of liquefied materials. The model is developed based on the critical‐state boundary‐surface theory, the concept of steady‐state strength, and the undrained behavior of liquefiable soils. A triggering condition in terms of a collapse surface was considered in this model. The hyperbolic strain‐softening relationship has been introduced to simulate the postpeak behavior of liquefied materials. The analyses have shown that a progressive failure under undrained conditions may explain the observed response of the lower San Fernando dam following the 1971 earthquake. Stress redistribution initiated by the strain softening of liquefied materials is the main reason for undrained flow failures of dams, slopes, and foundations and can occur in a short period ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes. The liquefied zone after stress redistribution may be much larger than the initial liquefied zone caused directly by an earthquake. Therefore, a postearthquake deformation analysis may be essential in liquefaction stability evaluations.