This paper reports the result of the vibration tests on Tsukabaru Gravity Dam (height 78m, crest length 215m, ungrouted key joints) and its consideration.
The vibration was given by an exciter having about 12 tons max. capacity whith was installed at one point in the gallery. And the vibration propagated into the whole structure through the ungrouted key joints, but a large phase lag in horizontal direction and some slip between neighbouring two blocks were obserbed.
From the result of this test, it will be reasonable to consider the gravity dam joint ungrouted as a three dimensional structure from the dynamical or statical point of view.
Accordingly we proposed an engineering method of eartquake-proof design for a gravitydam, considering cantilever and twist elements in it.
But for the simplicity, the phase lag and slip were not considered, and it will be necessary to observe the motion of the several points in the dam during natural earthquakes to know the rationality of this simplification.