NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Full-Scale Experimental Investigation of a Modern Earth Dam.
- File
- PB81123788.pdf
- Author(s)
- Abdel-Ghaffar, A. M.; Scott, R. F.; Craig, M. J.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC. Engineering and Applied Science., February 1980, 204 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- EERL-80-02
- Abstract
- Extensive investigation of a modern earth dam's behavior during relatively intense shaking is reported. The study utilized records on full-scale dynamic tests recovered from the Santa Felicia Dam in Southern California. These records provided information on the dynamic characteristics of the dam which was instrumented with motion sensors. The project gathered experimental data used for testing and developing various analytical and numerical methods for computing the natural frequencies and mode shapes of dams and, particularly, for predicting earthquake response. Data on the dam's responses indicate the following: Analytical or finite models are needed to represent the prototype realistically in vertical and longitudinal directions and to include coupling of these directional motions; More than two sets of strong-motion instruments should be deployed on and in the vicinity of the structure to obtain reliable information on a dam's three-dimensional behavior during an earthquake. Suggestions are made for the appropriate location of instruments.
- Keywords
- Predictions; Earth movements; Dynamic response; Ground motion; Earthquake engineering; Soil dynamics; Earth dams; Earthquakes