Dynamic Behavior of a Reservoir Embankment by Centrifugal Loading Vibration Tests and Analysis Considering Strength Degradation

Abstract

The seismic damage of reservoir embankments is due to weakening of the embankment soil during earthquake. To analyze the seismic behavior of embankments, we conducted centrifugal shaking tests on a reservoir embankment model under water storage conditions, followed by elasto-plastic dynamic finite element analyses. As a result, shear failure and deformation of the embankment as well as dynamic response of the model were evaluated by the analysis considering cyclic stress and strength reduction characteristics of the embankment according to the number of cyclic shear stresses. Furthermore, the effectiveness of partial seismic reinforcement measures for the reservoir embankment is also reported.