LONGITUDINAL VIBRATIONS OF EMBANKMENT DAMS

This paper presents an analytical method to study free and forced longitudinal vibrations of embankment dams. Both shear and dilational deformations are taken into account, and the dam is modeled as a linear homogeneous prism with a wedge-shape cross section, bounded by two vertical (abutment) and one horizontal (riverbed) planes. Numerical results demonstrate the effect of the length and height of the dam on its natural frequencies and its modal displacement and strain shapes. It is shown that shear deformations are more important in relatively long dams, whereas the opposite is true with dams built in narrow canyons. The method is evaluated through two case histories involving an earthfill and a rockfill dam. Close agreement exists between predicted and observed natural frequencies, but the distribution of peak accelerations within the dam is badly predicted. (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:
  • Gazetas, G
• Publication Date: 1981-1

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 21-40
• Serial:
  • Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
  • Volume: 107
  • Issue Number: GT1
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 1090-0241
  • Serial URL: http://ojps.aip.org/gto

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Analysis; Case studies; Dams; Deformation; Dilation; Earth dams; Embankments; Frequency (Electromagnetism); Height; Length; Rockfills; Seismicity; Shear strength; Vibration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Longitudinal; Seismic response
• Old TRIS Terms: Analytical method
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00330602
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASCE 15980
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 28 1981 12:00AM