Seismic Rehabilitation of Earth Dams

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present methods available for engineered remediation of seismically deficient earth dams (not including tailings dams), to review their strengths and weaknesses, to present case histories of the application of these methods, and to draw conclusions about the state of practice. A survey of completed and active rehabilitation projects was made. This survey identified 30 dams with engineering fixes and 22 with operational fixes. Data was obtained and is presented in tabular form for 36 dams. Of these dams, 13 had seismically deficient foundations, 15 had deficient embankments, and 8 had deficiencies in both embankment and foundations. Synopses of case histories are presented for John Hart Dam, Sardis Dam, Mormon Island Auxiliary Dam, and Pleasant Valley Dam.