Steady‐State Strength Analysis of Lower San Fernando Dam Slide
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 118, Issue 3
Abstract
An extensive reevaluation of the seismically induced 1971 Lower San Fernando dam slide is performed using steady‐state strength concepts. This investigation includes both field and laboratory testing and is carried out as a cooperative effort by four organizations. The undrained steady‐state strength of the hydraulic fill is evaluated based on laboratory testing of undisturbed samples obtained (1) From boreholes; and (2) by hand trimming in a large‐diameter exploratory shaft. The resulting values are corrected for the effects of void‐ratio changes due to sampling and testing, as well as for void‐ratio changes due to the 1971 earthquake shaking. The strength of the hydraulic fill is also backfigured from the extent of the slide movements and compared with the measured (corrected) strengths; the results indicate that the strength mobilized during the failure is about equal to the average minus about one half to the average minus one full standard deviation values of the measured (corrected) laboratory strength estimates.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 118 • Issue 3 • March 1992
Pages: 406 - 427
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 ASCE.
History
Published online: Mar 1, 1992
Published in print: Mar 1992
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