The 23rd Ralph B. Peck Lecture: Earthquake Cracking of Embankment Dams
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 11
Abstract
It is well known within the dam engineering profession that the potential for earthquake-induced cracking is a key consideration in the design and construction of dams. Transverse cracking of embankment dams is a major concern of engineers involved in dam safety management and commonly represents a potential failure mode for such dams. If transverse cracking extends below the reservoir level, it may lead to leakage from the reservoir, internal erosion of the embankment soils, and dam failure. Considerable effort has been made in the engineering profession during the last few decades to study the nature and effects of dam earthquake cracking and to develop design measures to mitigate its potential occurrence. However, few studies exist on earthquake-induced cracking of embankment dams, and the profession’s ability to accurately predict its characteristics is limited. Thus, it seems useful to review key aspects of earthquake cracking of embankment dams and some of the lessons learned about cracking from the past performance of dams during earthquakes. This paper aims to fulfill this objective by providing an overview of the observed effects of earthquakes on embankment dams, discussing the potential for embankment dam failure by cracking, reviewing basic concepts about the mechanics of cracking in soils, discussing the analysis of embankment dam cracking in practice, and presenting two case histories of cracking of embankment dams. The case histories describe (1) the performance of Matahina dam during construction, reservoir filling, and the 1987 Edgecumbe earthquake in New Zealand and (2) the performance of Lenihan dam during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in California and an analysis of the dam for that earthquake.
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Data Availability Statement
Some or all data, models, or code generated or used during the study are proprietary or confidential in nature or were provided by a third party and may only be provided with restrictions. Release of client reports related to Matahina dam and Lenihan dam requires owner permission. Direct request for materials provided by a third party may be made to the provider as indicated in the Acknowledgments.
Dedication to Professor Peck
As with many civil and geotechnical engineers, Prof. Ralph B. Peck had a profound influence on my education as an engineer. I was exposed early in my undergraduate studies to his textbooks and later to his other writings, including several about dams. I only met Professor Peck once. Although our interaction was brief, he left a long-lasting impression that internalized my knowledge of him as not only a giant of our profession but also a very kind person. It was an honor to present the ASCE 23rd Ralph B. Peck Lecture, as it is to dedicate this paper in his memory.
Acknowledgments
I thank the ASCE Geo-Institute and its Awards Committee for honoring me with the Peck Medal. Many teachers, colleagues, and professional friends have helped me throughout my career, and naming them all individually would take too long. However, I specially acknowledge some of my mentors who guided me and had a profound influence on my career: Professors Harry Seed, Ed Idriss, and Mr. John Bischoff. I also specially thank Mr. Murray Gillon and Dr. Ethan Dawson, with whom I collaborated closely on the studies of Matahina dam and Lenihan dam, respectively, and who generously contributed multiple materials to the case histories presented herein. The California Division of Safety of dams and Mr. Steven Wu of the Santa Clara Valley Water District provided helpful information on the Lenihan dam case history as well. I also thank the anonymous reviewers who provided helpful and constructive comments that helped improve this paper significantly. Preparation of this paper was sponsored by Geosyntec Consultants Inc. This support is gratefully acknowledged.
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Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 11 • November 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 19, 2024
Accepted: May 14, 2024
Published online: Sep 3, 2024
Published in print: Nov 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Feb 3, 2025
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