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Estimating seismic slope displacements of embankment dams using statistical analysis and numerical modeling

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Abstract

Embankment dams are widely constructed due to their benefits, such as suitability for valleys with different widths and foundations and design flexibility. Damage to embankment dams can lead to irreparable damage. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the behavior embankment dams under earthquake loading. This study focuses on the seismic soil slope displacement of embankment dams. Wide-range of seismic slope displacement of embankment dams due to past earthquake were gathered. After analyzing the real records, fundamental period ratio (Td/Tp), yield acceleration ratio (ay/amax), and earthquake magnitude (Mw) were considered as the most important factors affecting the seismic soil slope displacements. Then, a relationship was proposed to estimate the seismic soil slope displacement of embankment dams. Subsequently, the accuracy of the proposed relationship was compared with the existing equations for estimating the seismic soil slope displacement. Finally, the performance of the proposed relationship was assessed through finite element numerical modeling of an embankment dams under earthquakes. The results demonstrate the acceptable accuracy of the proposed relationship in the estimation of earthquake-induced soil slope displacements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

    Hamed Javdanian, Mehdi Zarei & Gholamreza Shams

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  1. Hamed Javdanian
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  2. Mehdi Zarei
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  3. Gholamreza Shams
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Correspondence to Hamed Javdanian.

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Javdanian, H., Zarei, M. & Shams, G. Estimating seismic slope displacements of embankment dams using statistical analysis and numerical modeling. Model. Earth Syst. Environ. 9, 389–396 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-022-01505-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40808-022-01505-4

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