DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF THE SLIDE IN THE LOWER SAN FERNANDO DAM DURING THE EARTHQUAKE OF FEBRUARY 9, 1971

During the San Fernando, California earthquake of February 9, 1971, a major slide occurred in the upstream slope of the Lower San Fernando Dam. Based on data obtained from tests on undisturbed samples, a detailed dynamic analysis of the seismic stability of the embankment is presented. It is concluded that an analysis procedure incorporating: (1) Consideration of the initial static stresses in the embankment; (2) the use of a dynamic finite element analysis procedure to determine the dynamic stresses induced in individual elements of the embankment by the earth quake; (3) the use of cycle loading triaxial compression test data to determine the response of the soil elements to the induced stresses; and (4) consideration of progressive failure effects provides a satisfactory basis for assessing the stability of the embankment. This type of analysis indicates the development of a zone of liquefaction along the base of the upstream shell that would be sufficiently extensive near the end of the earthquake shaking to lead to a condition of instability. /ASCE/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3519342
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Seed, H B
  • Idriss, I M
  • Lee, K L
  • Makdisi, F I
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 889-911
• Serial:
  • Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Volume: 101
  • Issue Number: GT9
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1090-0241
  • Serial URL: http://ojps.aip.org/gto

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Compression; Dynamic tests; Earthquakes; Embankments; Failure; Finite element method; Landslides; Liquefaction; Mechanical stability; Soil tests; Soils; Stresses; Structural analysis; Undisturbed samples
• Uncontrolled Terms: Triaxial compression
• Old TRIS Terms: Embankment stability
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00127121
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE #11541 Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 29 1975 12:00AM