2002 – Meeting Modern Seismic Criteria Using The Time-History Method of Analysis For An Existing Dam

J. Matthews, A. Crichton, G. Gibson

Glenmaggie Dam is a 37m high concrete gravity dam, which was constructed from 1919 to 1927. A
design review, which was carried out in line with ANCOLD Guidelines, (SMEC 1999) indicated that the dam did not meet the ANCOLD Guidelines for earthquake. This was despite the fact that the dam was stabilised in 1989 by the addition of 70 post-tensioned ground anchors. Faced with the possibility of having to perform a major upgrade to the dam, Southern Rural Water opted to undertake a more detailed assessment of the seismic loads and to carry out further analysis of the dam using the time history method. The time history method uses an accelerogram to model the forces acting on the structure throughout the earthquake and takes into account the continually changing direction of these forces. It can also be used to determine the size of any permanent
displacements caused by the earthquake, which can then be compared to the maximum allowable permanent deformation of the dam to determine if they are acceptable. The study was carried out by GHD Pty Ltd and also utilised updated seismic information for the dam site provided by the Seismology Research Centre and a geological assessment of the local faults by the URS Corporation. This paper discusses the methods used to determine the seismic loads; the techniques used in the study and the outcomes and follows the process from a dam owner’s perspective.

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