Interpreting Settlement Profiles of Earth Dams
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 124, Issue 10
Abstract
This paper presents a general framework for interpreting the settlement profiles measured along the cross section of an earth dam during the construction stages. Dams showing asymmetric profiles are schematically viewed as one-dimensional nonhomogeneous fill, with variable stiffness or unit weight. The results of one-dimensional analyses are used as a reference to discuss the effects of geometrical factors, like load transfer and lack of confinement, in two-dimensional plane-strain problems. In this way, it is possible to outline the factors affecting the shape of the settlement profile in both homogeneous and zoned earth dams. To show its practical usefulness, this conceptual procedure is used to interpret the behavior of two case histories: the zoned dams of Kastraki and Beliche. These two interpretations also provide some indications about back-analysis procedures deemed more appropriate to analyze in detail the dam behavior.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 124 • Issue 10 • October 1998
Pages: 923 - 932
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Oct 1, 1998
Published in print: Oct 1998
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