Liquefaction in body and foundation ground of earth dams

stability of an earth dam after earthquake is a major concern in geotechnical engineering. A dam failure can affect thousands of lives and most milions of dollars. This damage was often mainly due to liquefaction. One approach that has gained wide acceptance in evaluate liquefaction susceptibility of soils. One approach that has gained wide acceptance in estimating liquefaction resistance of foundation ground of an earth dam proposed by seed et al.(1985). This method, its limitations and solutions of these limitations are presented. Corrections factors are used in this procedure are illustrated. A comparision between two different chart suggested by pillai & byrne (1994) and seed & harder (1990) in calculation of correction factor k is done. The results obtained from a comprehensive assessment of Duncan Dam in British Columbia are studied. Finally, some appropriate remediation countermeasures and the beneficial effects of each of each method are demonstrated.

Keywords:

Liquefaction , earth dam , confining stress , cyclic resistance ratio , soil improvement