Jenny Ramirez, PhD, presented “Enhancing Dam Safety Communication Strategies Using Digital Tools” at the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) Technical Seminar at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland, on February 25, 2025.

Other Geosyntec contributors to the paper included Joe Goldstein, PE, and Raphael Siebenmann, PE.

Jenny is a Senior Engineer based in Washington, DC, who focuses on site characterization, data visualization, and numerical modeling to address geotechnical engineering challenges at dams, landfills, disposal containment facilities, and other earth structures. She often helps develop digital visualization tools and automate presentation of instrumentation results to support efficiency and safety during execution of large projects.

The NDSP Technical Seminar is a two-day event that blends training, workshops, and presentations to comprehensively address dam safety challenges and innovations. This year’s theme was “Innovations in Dam Safety.” The seminar is hosted at FEMA’s National Disaster and Emergency Management University at the NETC campus.

Abstract

Understanding and communicating the availability of relevant sources for an upcoming risk assessment, site inspection, or for a geotechnical analysis, is key for a more efficient engagement in dam safety. On several occasions the data compilation behind this effort can become overwhelmingly tedious due to data overload. With advances in data management technology and three-dimensional (3D) visualization software, there are now highly effective and efficient data analysis toolchains and computational 3D models available to support the dam safety community of practice. This presentation will discuss the use of digital tools such as dashboards and 3D subsurface modeling to support dam safety communication and decision-making. Several example applications will be discussed including the following: (i) challenges on data compilation; (ii) file management prior to a dam safety inspection; (iii) 3D stratigraphy modeling of groundwater preferential flow paths or stratigraphy changes that could negatively impact the dam’s performance; (iv) digitizing historical subsurface information of sedimentation behind a dam to evaluate removal strategies; and (v) 3D block models to support a Potential Failure Modes Analysis (PFMA). The presented case studies include a comprehensive review, compilation, and analysis of available site data conducted to develop communication tools between stakeholders prior to dam safety inspections and 3D conceptual understanding of the site geology and constructed features. The presented 3D models include several borehole logs that were incorporated using a compatible digital workflow between geotechnical/geological data and the 3D models. Scanned cross sections prepared during dam construction and relevant historical report images were also included into these models, creating a data-storage 3D visualization tool. This presentation will demonstrate how using 3D models in the dam safety industry can serve as a more efficient and cost-conscious communication tool between stakeholders and the public community for improved community awareness and understanding, especially compared to more traditional two-dimensional evaluations.

More Information

About the NDSP Technical Seminar.
About the NETC.
For consultation regarding dam safety, 2D and 3D visualization, automation, and other digital tools, contact Jenny at Jenny.Ramirez@geosyntec.com.
Learn more about Jenny: Jenny Ramirez | LinkedIn.