Limitations of Pseudo Static methods in stability analysis of earth dams - case History

Behavior of Earth dams against dynamic forces has exclusive complications. In this situations, design of dams requests strict analysis and exact knowledge about effective parameters on dam operation. Existence of materials with variant types, thickness, physical characteristics, also especial essence of earthquake, all are parameters that complicate evaluation of dams behavior and stability analysis of upstream and downstream slopes in earth dams. In the past decades, slope stability analysis using pseudo static methods in several dams such as Sheffield, oshima and upper or under sanfernando dam, and observation of their failure in earthquake, despite of safety factors greater than one, caused doubts in utilizing of this method. In this research, by evaluation of several case studies, limitations of pseudo static methods were studied and in follow, results of them will be presented.

Keywords:

Earth Dams , Stability Analysis , Limitations , Pseudo Static Method , Dynamic Method , Safety Factor