Abstract
This paper deals with the dynamic response of a central core type embankment dam under level-II earthquake excitation, which is much severer than that in the conventional earthquake resistant design before Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake. The aim of the paper is to estimate the magnitude of seismic force exerted by the level-II motion and evaluate the dynamic effect in terms of the seismic coefficient, because it plays the most important role on the earthquake resistant design. Assuming elasto-plastic behavior of dam materials, the two-dimensional finite element model was used and also generation of level-II motion was carried out. Judging from several results of the simulation, the maximum value of the seismic coefficient reached about 0.7, whereas the usual design value for embankment dam is less than 0.15. This value emphasizes the severity of the level-II earthquake.
