Potentially Active Faults in Dam Foundations

Abstract

The Paper contains information on existing dams founded on active faults, a summary of pertinent lessons learned from study of historic fault breaks and fault mechanisms, recommended practice for evaluation of active faults, and opinions concerning design of dams on active faults. While a dam site with an active fault should be avoided if possible, if a reservoir is vitally needed and a better site is not available, it is reasonable practice to construct a conservatively designed embankment dam. Concrete dams on active faults, or near some major active faults, are not advisable. For evaluation of fault activity, geological studies usually must be carried a considerable distance from the dam site, a departure from recent past practice. Experience of the last few years with many fault studies indicates that thorough geological investigations with modern techniques will usually provide sufficient evidence to allow a judgement on the activity or inactivity of a fault.

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