An <italic>Engineering Guide to Seismic Risk to Dams in the United Kingdom</italic>, and its international relevance: Fid-Bau Portal

An Engineering Guide to Seismic Risk to Dams in the United Kingdom, and its international relevance

Gosschalk, E.M. / Severn, R.T. / Charles, J.A. / Hinks, J.L.

Abstract The contents of An Engineering Guide to Seismic Risk to Dams in the United Kingdom, 1991, and the approach developed during its preparation are outlined. The derivation of criteria for seismic risk for the UK (a country in an intraplate region having experienced only moderate seismic activity during recent centuries and lacking instrumented records of strong motion events) was based on a study of worldwide experience and practice. The objective was to determine criteria to establish realistic and satisfactory levels of safety for dams in the UK, without unnecessary cost. Seismic loadings from peak ground accelerations ranging over 0·050·375 $g$ (of very long return period) were indicated for the UK, subject to dam categories classified according to risk and to locations in three zones of differing seismicity levels. The understanding and acceptance of the guide by the owners, undertakers and engineers concerned was a fundamental consideration. Application has led to further evaluation of design methods and failure criteria and the results are given in this paper. The approach described and its outcome are discussed in relation to its relevance in international practice.