Seismic

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Learn more about the failure of Lower San Fernando Dam during a seismic event at DamFailures.org

“The scope of the seismic hazard study at a site depends on the seismicity of a region or site-specific considerations, the types of structures involved, and the consequences of failure. The design and evaluation of dams for earthquake loading should be based on a comparable level of study and analysis for each phase of the study (seismotectonic, geological, site, geotechnical, and structural investigations) and that level of study should reflect both the criticality of the structure and the complexity of the analysis procedures".

Types of Seismic Evaluations

• Feasibility (PGA from USGS)
• Preliminary (Deterministic)
• Detailed (Site Specific)

Required Data

• Geologic and Tectonic Setting
• Seismic Source Characterization
• Ground Motion Characterization

Types of Analyses

• Probabilistic Seismic Analysis
• Deterministic Seismic Analysis
• Reservoir-triggered Seismicity

Examples

Learn more about the importance of accounting for seismic loadings in dam designs (DamFailures.org)

Learn more about the failure of Lower San Fernando Dam during a seismic event (DamFailures.org)

Best Practices Resources

Earthquake Design and Evaluation of Concrete Hydraulic Structures (EM 1110-2-6053) (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Response Spectra and Seismic Analysis for Concrete Hydraulic Structures (EM 1110-2-6050) (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 13: Seismic Analysis and Design) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Earthquake Analyses and Design of Dams (FEMA P-65) (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

Engineering Guidelines for the Evaluation of Hydropower Projects: Chapter 13- Evaluation of Earthquake Ground Motions (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

Trainings

On-Demand Webinar: Current Trends in the Seismic Analysis of Embankment Dams

On-Demand Webinar: Seismic Stability Evaluation of Earth Dams

On-Demand Webinar: Earthquake Hazards, Ground Motions and Dynamic Response

Citations:

Revision ID: 3768
Revision Date: 09/17/2022