Prioritization of Ten Embankment Dams According to Physical Deficiencies

Abstract

Ten embankment dams managed by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management Office of Dam Safety have been prioritized according to their physical deficiencies. Based upon visual inspection reports by several independent engineers engaged by the Department of Environmental Management and using a computer program that automates the risk indexing procedure, the 10 dams have been assigned a risk index (or priority ranking) number that identifies potential deficiencies in the physical condition of each structure and provides an evaluation of the overall importance of these deficiencies. Comparisons of the computed total risk indices for all dams in an inventory provides a basis for prioritizing future maintenance and repair actions for that inventory. Examination of the risk indices for each physical condition at a single dam can also give an indication as to which deficiencies may be the most significant. This paper will assist dam safety engineers in evaluating the potential benefits of the application of risk indexing to dams within their inventory. A companion paper presents the theoretical basis for prioritizations presented herein.