USACE EXPERIENCE WITH SEISMIC REMEDIATION OF EARTH AND CONCRETE DAMS

• Published in: Journal of earthquake engineering : JEE 2005-01, Vol.9 (sup001), p.213-227
• Main Authors: SHARP, MICHAEL K., MATHEU, ENRIQUE E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: design verification; numerical validation; remediation; seismic response
• ISSN: 1363-2469; 1559-808X
• DOI: 10.1080/13632460509350585

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has a long history related to research and evaluation of dams subjected to seismic loading. The USACE has responsibility for the safe performance of over two hundred dams in high seismic hazard areas of the US. In 1997, the USACE instituted the Dam Safety Assurance Program to provide for the modification of completed USACE dams and related facilities, when deemed necessary for safety purposes due to new hydrologic or seismic data or changes in the state-of-the-art design or construction criteria. Through this program, USACE dams are periodically evaluated for seismic hazard potential and those that are found deficient are retrofitted through appropriately designed remediation methodologies. Since the late 1980's two major dams (Sardis Dam and Mormon Island Dam) have been remediated for seismic deficiencies and two dams (Success Dam and Tuttle Creek Dam) are currently in the process of remediation design. Discussions are given on the analysis of these dams and selected remediation alternatives. This paper also highlights recent and ongoing research that the USACE is performing to improve the analysis of dams and the subsequent design of remediation measures for those found deficient. Finally, this paper briefly presents the policy that governs seismic stability evaluation of dams from the USACE perspective and issues of concern.