Analysis of Slope Stability and Soil Liquefaction of Zoned Earth Dams Using Numerical Modeling

The design of dams requires comprehensive studies to ensure the safety and feasibility these important engineering projects, as any possible failure case may lead considerable losses in human life properties. Specifically, analyses should be performed evaluate seepage, slope stability, soil liquefaction large earth dams. In this study, numerical modeling, based on finite element methods, was used analyze Makhoul Dam which is a zoned dam, currently under construction Tigris River north Iraq. Earthquake shakings impose additional hysteric short-term loads that dam due high pore water pressure, piping, liquefaction. Therefore, dynamic stability were also evaluated, result applying an earthquake shaking dam. For static condition, safe against internal erosion failure, calculated value factor greater than allowable value. However, results obtained from analysis indicated earthquake, with acceleration 0.38g 10 seconds period, led upstream relative displacement 2 meters at crest, slope. As discussed herein, redesign or geotextile reinforcement considered reduce effects earthquakes