Nonlinear Dynamic Analyses of Austrian Dam in the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 145, Issue 11
Abstract
Two-dimensional nonlinear dynamic analyses (NDAs) of Austrian Dam in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake are presented using the finite-difference program FLAC with the user-defined constitutive model PM4Silt and following engineering procedures common in practice. This relatively homogeneous, 55-m high embankment dam is comprised primarily of low-plasticity clayey sands and clayey gravels. The dam experienced estimated peak ground accelerations of 0.4–0.6g during the earthquake and developed extensive cracking with crest settlements up to 859 mm. The engineering properties of the compacted embankment materials are estimated based on the available isotropically consolidated undrained triaxial compression and resonant column test data. NDAs were performed using two alternative calibrations for the PM4Silt model and four different input motions. Sensitivity of the computed deformations to various modeling parameters and assumptions was examined. The computed responses are shown to be in reasonable agreement with the observed crest settlements, embankment deformation patterns, and excess pore pressures. Limitations in the material characterizations and analysis procedures and their possible effects on the analysis results are discussed. The results of this study provide support for the use of these analysis methods and engineering procedures in seismic evaluations of compacted earthfill embankments.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are available in a repository or online in accordance with funder data retention policies. The manual, dynamic link library, and example calibration files for PM4Silt are available at https://pm4silt.engr.ucdavis.edu/.
Acknowledgments
The work described herein progressed under projects for the California Division of Safety of Dams under Contract No. 4600009523, the Department of Water Resources under Contract No. 4600009751, and the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CMMI-1635398. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of these organizations. The anonymous reviewers provided valuable suggestions for additional analyses and broader discussions that significantly improved the paper. The author appreciates the above support and suggestions.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 145 • Issue 11 • November 2019
Copyright
©2019 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 18, 2018
Accepted: Jun 10, 2019
Published online: Sep 11, 2019
Published in print: Nov 1, 2019
Discussion open until: Feb 11, 2020
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