Guidelines on Design Features to Effectively Resist Seismic Ground Motion

Foreword

This report has been prepared by the USSD Committee on Earthquakes with the intent of providing a general design guide. It essentially responds to the questions: "How have dams performed under seismic loading?" and, "What should we do differently with the design of dams which could be subjected to significant earthquakes?" It draws heavily on earlier USSD (formerly USCOLD) publications, such as Observed Performance of Dams During Earthquakes, and then outlines general and specific structural features to be considered for the two principal types of dams (embankment or concrete). It is a guideline document, to be used for guiding decisions related to seismic design, and ranging from site selection to instrumentation.

This publication was prepared by the USSD Committee on Earthquakes, chaired by Joseph L. Ehasz with Gilles J. Bureau, Vice-Chairperson. Much of Chapter 3 on observations and performance was obtained from the two USSD Publications on Observed Performance of Dams During Earthquakes, Volumes I and II (References 1 and 2).

Principal contributors to the report are: Donald H. Babbitt, Gilles J. Bureau and Joseph L. Ehasz. Richard W. Kramer, Thomas M. Leps and others from the Committee on Earthquakes reviewed the final manuscript and made numerous helpful comments and contributions.

USSD Committee on Earthquakes

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE
OBSERVATIONS AND PERFORMANCE

3.1 Earthquake Performance of Embankment Dams
3.2 Earthquake Performance of Concrete Dams

4. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

4.1 Consideration of Dam Site Shape and Geology
4.2 Selection of a Dam Type

5. SPECIAL FEATURES FOR SEISMIC DESIGN

5.1 Structural Features for Embankment Dams
5.2 Structural Features for Concrete Dams

6. LANDSLIDES INTO THE RESERVOIR

7. INSTRUMENTATION

8. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

9. REFERENCES

APPENDIX A - Table 1: Historic Performance of Dams During Earthquakes