assessing uncertainty in dam engineering

Dams make up a small percentage of civil structures but they have highly individual features. Both aspects complicate the assessment of uncertainty inherent in loads and resistance mechanisms. Efforts to scrutinize uncertainty to the point of obtaining accountable safety margins have made progress but they still do not exploit the full potential offered by scientific approaches. Sources and extent of uncertainty are discussed with emphasis on material parameters and safety aspects.

Keywords:

Parameter and system uncertainty , Dam safety , Concrete dams , Judgment