The Need for Redundancy in Seepage Control-Embankment Dams and Their Foundations

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At the 1985 Annual Convention of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Dr. Jorj O. Osterberg (1989) presented the 21st Terzaghi Lecture. His topic and the title of his paper was 'Necessary Redundancy in Geotechnical Engineering'. Dr. Osterberg quoted the American Heritage Dictionary in defining 'redundant': '. .. duplication or repetition of elements in electronic or mechanical equipment to provide alternative functional channels in case of failure'. He then presented his own definition: 'Designing, incorporation, and including physical and human processes into analysis, design, and construction in such a way that if one element, whether physical or human, fails to function or fails to function in the way intended, other elements take over in such a way that the structure will still function essentially as intended'. The lecture developed the theme of redundancy in the following phases of geotechnical engineering: Reconnaissance and preliminary exploration Soil borings Laboratory testing Analysis Design Construction