Seismic Stability of Earth Dam with Water Fluctuations in the Reservoir
摘要
The design and construction of earth embankment structures face complexities arising from variations in foundation soil conditions and the use of construction materials as fill material. These structures are required to withstand horizontal loads resulting from earth and water pressures, particularly in storage containments or reservoirs. Seepage forces at the surface must also be considered in cases where the soil structure is submerged beneath the water table. The design criteria for these embankments prioritize overall stability and safety, necessitating a thorough analysis of seismic stability and the recommendation of mitigation techniques. In a recent study, an advanced constitutive model known as UBC 3D sand was employed to analyze the liquefaction of sand within embankment structures. This specific model, integrated into the finite element software MIDAS GT NX, incorporates fully coupled effects and was chosen for its non-linear characteristics. The numerical results obtained from the study indicate that safety factors and deformations are significantly impacted by changes in the materials of the dam body and foundation layers, as well as by upstream water fluctuations resulting from rapid drawdown in the reservoir. Consequently, the findings of this study have the potential to inform the development of liquefaction-resistant earth embankment structures in areas prone to liquefaction.