STABILITY CONSIDERATIONS IN EARTH DAM DESIGN

Abstract

A comparative study Of the various methods of stability analysis used in earth dams has been made. It is important to investigate the strength characteristics of the materials which constitute the etinbankuent under different conditions of loading. For this purpose an adequate prograrnme of field exploration and laboratory testing is necessary. --- _ The present trend is towards increasing use of computer techniques for stability computations. In seismic regions. earthquake forces should be fully considered in the stability computation. Same field problems have been discussed highlighting the specific considerations required in stabfl ity analysis in particular situations. Terzaghi had stressed the importance of minor geologic details as far back as 1929. O nr example of occurrence of sand lens in clay layers has been discussed from stability point of view.