Effects of the September 2017 Earthquakes on Mexican Dams
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 34, Issue 4
Abstract
On September 7 and 19, 2017 two earthquakes of magnitudes 8.2 and 7.1, respectively, and their aftershocks occurred in Mexico in regions where more than 750 dams operate, from which around 154 were exposed. Most of the reservoirs were full at the time of the earthquakes, and therefore subject to unprecedented intense dynamic loads. A description of the earthquakes and an account of the affected dams is provided; some of the dams presented cracking in various parts, especially on the crests, due to large peak ground acceleration (PGA) values. Previous studies related to dam safety are briefly described, together with a comparison of current dam design criteria against dam design practices in Mexico at the time the dams were built. Safety revision protocols as well as design criteria and stability estimation procedures are also revised. Then, inspection actions are taken, and damages and seismic evaluation after the events are presented, as well as a discussion on seismic-induced dam crest settlement estimation. Finally, conclusions and recommendations regarding remedial actions are presented.
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Data Availability Statement
Some data, models, or code generated or used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request including the following unpublished reports:
1.
Servicio Sismológico Nacional (SSN), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IIUNAM), and Conagua, Reporte de exposición de infraestructura debida a evento sísmico 20170908044917A_3, unpublished report, 2017a.
2.
IIUNAM and Conagua, Reporte de exposición de infraestructura debida a evento sísmico 20170919181438A_1, unpublished report, 2017b.
3.
Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua (IMTA), Estudios para la caracterización y diagnóstico de la seguridad de presas, clasificadas con alto riesgo, unpublished report, 2013.
4.
Conagua and IMTA, Informe de visita de inspección estructural y evaluación de la instrumentación, Septiembre, unpublished report, 2012.
5.
CFE, 2017 Informe de comportamiento a Diciembre de 2017 CH Belisario Domínguez. Presa La Angostura. Chis. México, unpublished report.
6.
Conagua, Reporte Preliminar: Seguridad de presas después del sismo del 19 de Septiembre de 2017, unpublished report.
All other data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The National Water Commission of Mexico (Conagua) provided most of the information contained in this paper.
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Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 34 • Issue 4 • August 2020
Copyright
©2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 20, 2018
Accepted: Oct 7, 2019
Published online: Apr 17, 2020
Published in print: Aug 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Sep 17, 2020
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