Lelio Mejia, PhD, PE, GE, NAE, authored an article on earthquake cracking of embankment dams in the Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering.

“The 23rd Ralph B. Peck Lecture: Earthquake Cracking of Embankment Dams,” which arose from his 2021 Ralph B. Peck Award and Lecture, appears in the September 3, 2024, issue of the publication.

Lelio is a Senior Principal Engineer with more than 40 years of experience in geotechnical and earthquake engineering, focusing on designing dams and levees and assessing related risks. An international authority in his field, he developed earthquake-loading criteria referenced by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) for the seismic evaluation and design of dams worldwide, and he continues to advance the state of practice. In addition to leading Geosyntec’s Western United States dams and levees practice, Lelio teaches and publishes, is a member of the Civil Engineering section of the National Academy of Engineering, and is vice chair of the Committee on Seismic Aspects of Dam Design for ICOLD.

The Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering,  published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), covers many aspects of geotechnical engineering. Topics include foundations, retaining structures, soil dynamics, engineering behavior of soil and rock, site characterization, slope stability, dams, rock engineering, earthquake engineering, environmental geotechnics, geosynthetics, computer modeling, groundwater monitoring and restoration, and coastal and geotechnical ocean engineering. Authors are also encouraged to submit papers on new and emerging topics within the general discipline of geotechnical engineering.

The Ralph B. Peck Award and Lecture recognizes outstanding contributions to the geotechnical engineering profession through the publication of a thoughtful, carefully researched case history or histories, or the publication of recommended practices or design methodologies based on the evaluation of case histories.

The ASCE represents more than 150,000 civil engineers in 177 countries. Founded in 1852, it is the nation’s oldest engineering society.

Abstract

It is well known within the dam engineering profession that the potential for earthquake-induced cracking is a key consideration in the design and construction of dams. Transverse cracking of embankment dams is a major concern of engineers involved in dam-safety management and commonly represents a potential failure mode for such dams. If transverse cracking extends below the reservoir level, it may lead to leakage from the reservoir, internal erosion of the embankment soils, and dam failure. Considerable effort has been made in the engineering profession during the last few decades to study the nature and effects of dam earthquake cracking and to develop design measures to mitigate its potential occurrence. However, few studies exist on earthquake-induced cracking of embankment dams, and the profession’s ability to accurately predict its characteristics is limited. Thus, it seems useful to review key aspects of earthquake cracking of embankment dams and some of the lessons learned about cracking from the past performance of dams during earthquakes. This paper aims to fulfill this objective by providing an overview of the observed effects of earthquakes on embankment dams, discussing the potential for embankment dam failure by cracking, reviewing basic concepts about the mechanics of cracking in soils, discussing the analysis of embankment dam cracking in practice, and presenting two case histories of cracking of embankment dams. The case histories describe (1) the performance of Matahina dam during construction, reservoir filling, and the 1987 Edgecumbe earthquake in New Zealand and (2) the performance of Lenihan dam during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in California and an analysis of the dam for that earthquake.

More Information

Learn more about the paper here.
Learn more about The Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering.
For consultation regarding geotechnical and earthquake engineering and dam design, contact Lelio at LMejia@Geosyntec.com.
Learn more about Lelio: Lelio Mejia (Geosyntec.com)