Response Of Dams Research Articles

Dynamic behaviors of concrete gravity dam against combined blast wave and bubble pulsation of underwater explosion

Underwater explosion process mainly includes the preceding blast wave and the succeeding bubble pulsation, while the effect of bubble pulsation on hydraulic structures is always neglected. This paper aims to numerically study the dynamic behaviors of prototype concrete gravity dam against underwater explosion, considering the combined effects of blast wave and bubble pulsation. Firstly, a finite element analysis (FEA) approach for predicting the underwater explosion loadings, as well as the damage evolution and dynamic responses of dam against underwater explosions was proposed, in which the hydrostatic pressure of reservoir and the dead load of dam were considered. Based on Cole's formula and the existing underwater explosion tests, the reliability of FEA approach, including the mesh sizes, material models and the corresponding parameters, as well as the mapping, Fluid-Structure Interaction and contact algorithms, was comprehensively validated. Secondly, to realize the simulation of the prototype gravity dam impeded by the validated small Lagrange mesh size, a mesh transition strategy was proposed based on the equivalence of dam damage modes and total eroded element mass. Finally, the dynamic behaviors of a typical 120 m-height concrete gravity dam against underwater explosion, i.e., 1 t of TNT equivalence detonated at a depth of 35 m and standoff distances of 4–16 m, were examined. The dimensionless distance λR, i.e., the ratio of the standoff distance to the maximum bubble radius, was introduced to quantitatively evaluate the underwater explosion loadings and dynamic behaviors of the dam. It indicates that, the blast wave firstly leads to the local compressive damage on the upstream surface, as well as the tensile damage on the downstream folded slope and dam heel. The succeeding free vibration and bubble pulsation will further aggravate the damage degree, resulting in the cracking of dam neck and heel. Especially for the scenarios when λR ≤ 1.22, the overall sliding of dam is highly prone to occur.

Damage characteristics and dynamic responses of high arch dams under rockfall impact loads

Rockfall is a typical natural disaster that is sudden, high in speed, unpredictable, and can easily adversely affect the structures. High arch dams are usually constructed in deep valleys, where rockfall is a typical destructive load. However, there is currently a lack of research on the effects of rockfall on the safe operation of high arch dams. Therefore, the Wudongde arch dam in China is selected in this paper for exploring damage characteristics and dynamic responses of high arch dams under rockfall impact loads. To improve the authenticity of numerical simulation, a coupled model is established based on the actual dam shape and terrain characteristics of the dam. The concrete damaged plasticity model is used for dam concrete and the rockfall is described by the JH-2 model to simulate mechanical properties of materials and reflect strain rate effects. The trajectories of falling rocks at the dam site are first investigated to analyze the locations where they may impact the dam. Based on the obtained results, two impact positions are considered possible in the analysis, namely, the dam crest and the gate slot, and then the nonlinear dynamic responses of the dam impacted by rockfall at different positions are compared. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is carried out to evaluate the influence of the rockfall properties on the damage characteristics of the dam. The results indicate that the trajectory and impact velocity of falling rocks are related to the falling height, rock size, and initial velocity. The rockfall impact on the dam crest has little influence on the safety of the dam for the robust mass dam concrete, while the track beam near the gate slot is vulnerable to rockfall impact. The damage degree to the structure is related to rockfall properties. Compared to larger-sized rockfalls, rockfalls with a diameter of 1 m cause minimal damage to the structure and have little impact on its safety. Higher impact velocity and stiffness of the rock lead to more severe damage, while the effect is relatively smaller compared to the rockfall size. The high stiffness also reduces the damage to the rock itself.

Seismic Response of Embankment Dams with Asphalt–Concrete Cores Based on the Three-Dimensional Time-Domain Inversion of Ground Motions

Seismic Response of Embankment Dams with Asphalt–Concrete Cores Based on the Three-Dimensional Time-Domain Inversion of Ground Motions

Simulation of 0–7.5 Hz physics-based nonlinear ground motions for maximum credible earthquake scenarios at the Long Valley Dam, CA

We have conducted three-dimensional (3D) 0–7.5 Hz physics-based wave propagation simulations to model the seismic response of the Long Valley Dam (LVD), which has formed Lake Crowley in Central California, to estimate peak ground motions and settlement of the dam expected during maximum credible earthquake (MCE) scenarios on the nearby Hilton Creek Fault (HCF). We calibrated the velocity structure, anelastic attenuation model, and the overall elastic properties of the dam via linear simulations of a Mw 3.7 event as well as the Mw 6.2 Chalfant Valley earthquake of 1986, constrained by observed ground motions on and nearby the LVD. The Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC) Community Velocity Model CVM-S4.26.M01 superimposed with a geotechnical layer using [Formula: see text] information tapered from the surface to a 700-m depth was used in the simulations. We found optimal fit of simulated and observed ground motions at the LVD using frequency-independent attenuation of [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] in m/s). Using the calibrated model, we simulated 3D nonlinear ground motions at the LVD for Mw 6.6 rupture scenarios on the HCF using an Iwan-type, multi-yield-surface technique. We use a two-step method where the computationally expensive nonlinear calculations were carried out in a small domain with the plane wave excitation along the bottom boundary obtained from a full-domain 3D linear finite-fault simulation. Our nonlinear MCE simulation results show that peak ground velocities (PGVs) and peak ground accelerations (PGAs) as high as 72 cm/s and 0.55 g, respectively, can be expected at the crest of the LVD. Compared with linear ground motion simulation results, our results show that Iwan nonlinear damping reduces PGAs on the dam crest by up to a factor of 8 and increasingly depletes the high-frequency content of the waves toward the dam crest. We find horizontal relative displacements of the material inside the dam of up to [Formula: see text] and up to [Formula: see text] of vertical subsidence, equivalent to 1% of the dam height.

Seismic response of a tailings sand dam

Seismic response of a tailings sand dam

Dinamička analiza lučne brane

Introduction/purpose: The dynamic analysis of a seismic response of a concrete vault dam is a complex problem in which the representation of the behavior of the material requires some form of a nonlinear model, especially if the concrete is subjected to a significant stress load of the ground. In the case of large movements of the latter, large cracks may form in some areas of the dam, especially at the base of the dam and near sudden changes in geometry. Methods: This analysis was based on a numerical simulation of the dynamic effect. This work was carried out using the finite element method with the ANSYS 12.1 program. The dam was modelled in two dimensions. Four types of analysis were performed: static analysis, modal analysis, seismic analysis under excitation of two accelerograms (Asnam 1980 and Boumerdes 2003), and spectral analysis. Results: This analysis showed the vulnerability of the Brezina dam to the Boumerdes earthquake with high stresses at the base of the structure. Conclusions: Based on this study, it was concluded that if the Brezina dam suffers an earthquake of a greater intensity than that of Boumerdes, this will cause structural damage and cracks that will compromise the dam's watertightness as well as its durability.

Effect of attached outlets on the dynamic response of arch dams

Attached outlets are integral components of arch dams to discharge flood. However, they are usually neglected in the current seismic analysis of arch dams for simplicity. This paper aims to analyze the effect of attached outlets on the nonlinear seismic response of arch dams. For this purpose, a 235 m high arch dam is analyzed as a case study. The results indicate that the effect of attached outlets on the seismic response of arch dams depends on the ground motion intensity. For the ground motions with a low peak ground acceleration (PGA), the effect of attached outlets on the concrete damage is slight and local, which is consistent with the existing perception. However, as the ground motion intensity increases, their effect extends to the entire dam body. In contrast, the influence of attached outlets on the joint opening is typically observed at the middle contraction joints. Furthermore, the model analysis demonstrates that the inertia effect of attached structures is the primary contribution to these phenomena. Finally, a simplified simulation approach is used for incorporating the influence of attached outlets by coalescing the mass to the dam surface.

Effect of boundary conditions on the centrifugal model of concrete gravity dams subjected to underwater explosion

Scaled-down centrifugal model testing has garnered significant attention for exploring the responses of concrete dams subjected to underwater explosions. This interest arises not only due to its cost-effectiveness compared to full-scale testing but also its ability to replicate both the internal stress distribution of dams and hydraulic pressure field of water caused by gravity. In centrifugal model tests, underwater explosions are usually carried out in a small and very strong container with stiff walls. Inevitably, reflected shock waves would be generated from these stiff walls and impose a significant effect on the damage of concrete gravity dams, leading to inaccurate prediction for prototype. However, no study has ever investigated the effect of the boundary condition on the centrifugal model of concrete gravity dams subjected to underwater explosions yet. To close this gap, a numerical model of a concrete gravity dam was developed and calibrated in this study. Numerical simulation was further performed to investigate the effect of reflected waves on the damage mode and dynamic responses of the concrete dam. It was found that concrete gravity dams with fixed boundaries suffered more severe damage and higher responses than those of dams with non-reflecting boundaries, indicating reflected shock waves have a significant influence on the dynamic responses of the concrete gravity dam. Aluminum foam layers were demonstrated better effect than rubber layers to reduce the wave reflection, e.g., reducing the peak pressure of reflected waves by up to 47%, and thus mitigate the effect of reflected waves on concrete dams.

Dynamic responses of a bituminous concrete core rockfill dam on layered overburden under seismic wave input

The dynamic nonlinearity, overburden stratification characteristics and oblique incidence of seismic waves in soil greatly increase the difficulty of determining the free field of a dam foundation, which restricts seismic input accuracy. Based on the potential function theory, this paper constructs a transfer relationship between the wave amplitude matrix at the top layer of a dam foundation with overburden and the wave amplitude matrix at any layer and obtains the shear strain of the soil through Fourier inverse transformation. Then, the equivalent linearization method is adopted to depict the nonlinearity of the soil. An analytical calculation method for the free field of a dam foundation with layered overburden under inclined seismic waves is proposed. This method can not only forward the free field according to the incident wave in the deep part of the foundation but also directly invert the free field according to the seismic motion on the ground surface, and the inversion efficiency is high. Using a nonlinear viscous-spring boundary element developed by the authors, combined with the free field, a wave input method for a dam foundation with a layered overburden under inclined seismic waves is established. The maximum error between the numerical solution under wave input and the analytical solution is only 5%. The computational precision of the method is high. Finally, the dynamic responses of a bituminous concrete core rockfill dam on a layered overburden are studied. The results show that an upstream buoyancy and oblique incidence are the main reasons for a larger acceleration on the upstream side of the dam than on the downstream side. As the incident angle increases, the differential distribution becomes more significant, and the amplification coefficient of the anti-seepage system also increases. When the incident angle is 25°, the horizontal and vertical amplification coefficients at the top of the core wall increase by 12.8% and 25.2% compared to the vertical incidence, respectively. The accelerations of the dam are overestimated under uniform seismic input, and the amplification coefficients of the dam crest are overestimated by 52.3% and 39.8% compared with the wave input, respectively. The wave input reasonably solves the problem of seismic input for a dam foundation with layered overburden, considers the inclined seismic waves, and can reflect the seismic waves propagation characteristics. The wave method provides a solid foundation for the seismic safety of rockfill dams with layered overburden.

Comments regarding “Seismic damage analysis due to near‐fault multipulse ground motion” by Guan Chen, Jiashu Yang, Ruohan Wang, Kaiqi Li, Yong Liu, Michael Beer; Earthquake Engineering & Structural Dynamics, 2023

AbstractThis discussion is based on the paper by Chen et al. in 2023 (hereafter referred to as “the original paper/authors”). In their study, the original authors conducted a series of analyses using nonpulse, single‐pulse, and multipulse ground motion records, evaluating their impact on a frame structure, a slope, and a gravity dam. Their key finding suggests that multipulse ground motion leads to more severe structural damage compared to nonpulse and single‐pulse ground motions. However, it is important to note that the seismic damage analysis of the gravity dam in this paper does not adhere to state‐of‐the‐practice recommendations. Consequently, drawing a definitive conclusion regarding the influence and importance of multipulse ground motion records on the seismic response of concrete dams requires further justification. This necessitates the incorporation of high‐fidelity numerical models and probabilistic performance evaluation. We will discuss the significance of modeling assumptions, specifically addressing the dam–rock dynamic interaction in crack propagation and failure in dams.

An improved numerical manifold method for crack propagation of concrete gravity dams under seismic loads

In the safety analysis of concrete gravity dams it is necessary to consider the external load and internal load of the dam body within a reasonable range, in which the influence of strong earthquake can not be ignored. The modified Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion is introduced into the numerical manifold method (NMM), meanwhile, the calculation mechanism of dynamic load is introduced, and the calculation part considering the Hydro-Mechanical coupling principle is added to the NMM. The effectiveness and accuracy of the improved NMM are verified by the displacement of the central point of the circular arch under dynamic load containing an analytical solution. Based on the improved NMM, the crack propagation of concrete gravity dam is predicted and analyzed. The crack propagation of Koyna concrete gravity dam under seismic conditions is analyzed, and the results are compared with XFEM and experimental results. The influence of adding Hydro-Mechanical coupling module on crack propagation and seismic response of concrete gravity dam is discussed and it is proved that the improved NMM can accurately predict the crack propagation of concrete gravity dams under dynamic load and the advantage of NMM in dealing with continuous-discontinuous problems.

PSXIV-11 Evaluating the Inoculating Bacterial Communities Within the Bovine Dam and Neonate After Applying an Ablation Technique to the Dam Vaginal Microbiome Prior to Parturition

Abstract The vaginal microbiota (VM) is the first contact of the neonate with microorganisms, which can attribute to neonatal health outcomes. The effects of an altered VM at parturition on neonatal microbial inoculation and passive transfer success has not been evaluated. Betadine lavages (BL) are commonly used to mitigate bacterial infections within the reproductive tract by ablating the VM. Ablation of the VM prior to parturition decreases microbial competition during neonatal microbial colonization, increasing the likelihood for pathogen inoculation. Thus, this study aimed to determine if an altered VM impacts neonatal and dam microbial inoculating bacterial communities in beef cow-calf pairs. Cows (n = 12) were randomly assigned to either control (CON) or BL (BLG) treatment groups two weeks prior to calving. Treatment BL was infused into the anterior vagina weekly until calving. Samples (dam-vaginal swab, dam-udder swab, dam-haircoat swab, and calf-nasal swab) were collected within 24 hours of parturition and stored at -80°C. The vaginal bacterial community composition was determined through sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina Miseq platform. Alpha diversity was compared via two-way ANOVA; beta diversity was compared via PERMANOVA. Taxonomic differences were evaluated using the LEfSe platform. Microbiota data were analyzed using the R software package. Serial BL prior to parturition did not alter the alpha diversity of the dam-vaginal (P = 0.42), dam-udder (P = 0.53), or dam-haircoat (P = 0.21) microbiota but did alter the calf-nasal microbiota (P = 0.03). Moreover, the beta diversity did not differ within the dam-vaginal (P = 0.66) or dam-udder (P = 0.56) between BLG vs. CON, but there was a trend within both the calf-nasal (P = 0.08) and dam-haircoat (P = 0.09) for BLG pairs to have increased variation compared with CON. Within the calf-nasal microbiota, BLG had increased relative abundance of Actinobacteria and a decreased relative abundance of Proteobacteria compared with CON. Interestingly, previously reported IgG data from this study showed there was no difference in passive transfer status between CON and BLG calves, represented by no significant differences in calf serum (P = 0.88). However, BLG dam colostrum had increased IgG concentrations compared with CON dams (P = 0.04). Together, these results are indicative of physiological insults (BL) prior to parturition leading to an increased immune response in BLG dams which altered colostrum IgG. Thus, neonatal colostrum consumption could drive immune responses against inoculating bacteria resulting in differing nasal microbial communities between BLG and CON calves. Overall, this research contributes to our understanding of the vaginal microbiota and its importance in neonatal health outcomes and highlights the need for further research in this area to better inform management practices for optimal calf health and productivity.

Dynamic Responses of Embankment Dams, Constituted from Varied Soil Types, to Seismic Activity

Dynamic Responses of Embankment Dams, Constituted from Varied Soil Types, to Seismic Activity

Dynamic Responses of Concrete-Face Rockfill Dam to Different Site Conditions under Near-Fault Earthquake Excitation

The western region of China is rich in hydropower resources and characterized by unique geological conditions. For the construction or planned construction of high dams in this region, different types of cover layers are formed due to special geological structures, most of which are located in high seismic intensity zones. This study focuses on four different site conditions: hard ground, medium–hard ground, medium–soft ground, and weak ground. By simulating the dynamic response of concrete-face rockfill dams under near-fault earthquake excitation, the vertical settlement of the dam and the attenuation of seismic motion under different site conditions are analyzed. The research findings reveal a consistent trend where the vertical settlement of the dams progressively escalates with increasing dam height across all four site conditions. This settlement phenomenon is especially pronounced in weak ground conditions, posing a potential risk of failure. Furthermore, when subjected to near-fault pulse-type earthquake motions, the existence of weak soil layers significantly dampens the seismic forces experienced by the dam. This finding suggests that the weaker the geological conditions of the site, the more pronounced the attenuation effect of the seismic motion. Additionally, the overburden layers have a noticeable amplification effect on near-fault pulse-type earthquake motion. However, this amplification effect is not significant in weak ground, possibly due to the presence of weak soil layers restricting the propagation and amplification of seismic motion. In conclusion, these research findings have practical significance for the dynamic response of high dam construction in different site conditions in the western region of China. They provide a scientific basis for the design and construction of high dams and serve as a reference for the implementation of seismic mitigation measures and earthquake disaster prevention in engineering projects.

Study on seismic wave propagation regularity and dam-foundation interaction characteristics of earth-rock dam on deep overburden

Many dams have to be constructed on deep overburden in meizoseismal areas, so it is vital to understand the seismic performance of these dams. Current research primarily focuses on the whole seismic response of dams, in which the analysis can be relatively imprecise. Nevertheless, an in-depth understanding of the propagation regularity of seismic waves in earth-rock dams on deep overburden, as well as the interaction characteristics between the dam and overburden, is critical. In this paper, based on a planning soil core wall dam with over 500 m of overburden, the seismic wave input method is employed to conduct a detailed and in-depth study from the perspectives of the spatial distribution of seismic acceleration and the Fourier spectra of acceleration time history. The results indicate that the spatial distribution of the peak acceleration of the dam is significantly inconsistent. The horizontal peak acceleration of the upstream side of the dam is greater than that of the downstream side because the dynamic modulus of the dam is significantly inconsistently distributed. In addition, the amplification behaviours of the seismic wave are different in the overburden and dam body, and the low-frequency and high-frequency components are amplified. The dynamic interaction between the dam body and the overburden significantly reduces the acceleration response at the dam-foundation interface by 44 % and 50 % in horizontal and vertical accelerations, respectively, because of the absorption of seismic wave energy by the dam body and the inconsistency of the dynamic modulus distribution of the overburden. The findings of this study provide robust theoretical support for evaluating the seismic performance and designing measures for the seismic resistance of earth-rock dams on deep overburden.

Dynamic stability of concrete structures with varying sections to underwater contact explosion: A case study of gravity dams

Concrete structures with varying sections are widely used in the fields of ocean engineering, hydraulic engineering and civil engineering. And the damage mechanism of variable-section structures to underwater contact explosion, which involves localized damage by explosion impact and instability by overall structural vibration, is very complex. The gravity dam is taken as an example, the coupled analysis model for gravity dams under underwater contact blast is established, a prototype test on the dynamic response of a gravity dam under underwater explosion is conducted to verify the reliability of the fluid-solid interaction method, and the reliability of the concrete dynamic damage model adopted in this paper is validated by a small-scale field test on the internal blast damage of a gravity dam. The damage mechanism of gravity dams subjected to underwater contact explosion is analyzed. A stability analysis method for gravity dams to underwater contact explosion is proposed, which allows simultaneous consideration of the dam stability in the blast-induced vibration phase and the static phase after damage. The dynamic stability performance of gravity dams to underwater contact explosion is analyzed. And a stability assessment criterion that could be used to assess the safety level of dams at various stages is presented.

Statistical investigation of the influence of ground motion duration on concrete gravity dam responses by proposing a quantitative index

This study aims to investigate the influence of ground motion duration on the seismic performance of concrete gravity dams seeking a quantitative correlation between ground motion durations and structural responses at several seismic intensity levels. In this regard, the Koyna gravity dam, located in India, is selected as the case study. In order to analyze the cumulative damage of the dam body, incremental dynamic analysis with 30 earthquake records with a broad range of durations has been implemented. All selected ground motion records have been spectrally matched to a target spectrum to isolate the contribution of duration from the effects of other ground motion parameters. The first mode spectral acceleration of the structure is considered the intensity measure, and the relative crest displacement and damage dissipation energy are chosen as the damage measure in this paper. Unlike previous studies in this field which are based on central measures of responses such as absolute mean value, in this study confidence intervals of the mean value of responses have been calculated in order to reach a quantitative relationship considering the uncertainty of results. Also, a duration influence index is developed. The obtained results revealed that there is a positive correlation between the ground motion duration and the cumulative damage of the concrete gravity dams so that long-duration motions can cause about 25% higher responses in relative crest displacement and about 70% higher responses in damage dissipation energy in comparison to short-duration ground motions at the same intensity.

Seismic Response of Earth-Rock Dams with Innovative Antiseepage Walls on the Effect of Microscopic Fluid-Solid Coupling

In dykes and dam projects, the microscopic fluid-solid coupling effect from the interaction between soil skeleton and pore water during an earthquake is crucial to consider, as it can lead to dam safety problems. To control seepage in medium- and small-sized dams, polymer antiseepage walls have emerged as effective measures. In recent years, this method has been increasingly utilized in projects worldwide as it is essential for preventing potential dam safety issues. To address concerns related to seismic safety, this study conducts theoretical analysis, model tests, and numerical simulations to investigate the seismic response of earth-rock dams with polymer antiseepage walls, with a specific focus on the microscopic fluid-solid coupling effect. The dynamic viscoelastic constitutive model used in this study incorporates Biot’s theory of dynamic consolidation and the results of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of polymer materials. To validate the model, a centrifuge test is performed, and it is then utilized to study the seismic response of earth-rock dams with polymer antiseepage walls. Furthermore, the influence of factors such as fluid-solid coupling, water level, polymer material density, and wall thickness on the seismic response of dams with antiseepage walls is analyzed. Finally, the seismic safety of the earth-rock dam with the polymer antiseepage wall is thoroughly examined. The results emphasize the need to consider the fluid-solid coupling effect, as factors like water level and design parameters of the antiseepage wall significantly impact the seismic response of earth-rock dams with polymer antiseepage walls.

Extracellular free water elevations are associated with brain volume and maternal cytokine response in a longitudinal nonhuman primate maternal immune activation model.

Maternal infection has emerged as an important environmental risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Animal model systems of maternal immune activation (MIA) suggest that the maternal immune response plays a significant role in the offspring's neurodevelopment and behavioral outcomes. Extracellular free water is a measure of freely diffusing water in the brain that may be associated with neuroinflammation and impacted by MIA. The present study evaluates the brain diffusion characteristics of male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) born to MIA-exposed dams (n = 14) treated with a modified form of the viral mimic polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid at the end of the first trimester. Control dams received saline injections at the end of the first trimester (n = 10) or were untreated (n = 4). Offspring underwent diffusion MRI scans at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 45 months. Offspring born to MIA-exposed dams showed significantly increased extracellular free water in cingulate cortex gray matter starting as early as 6 months of age and persisting through 45 months. In addition, offspring gray matter free water in this region was significantly correlated with the magnitude of the maternal IL-6 response in the MIA-exposed dams. Significant correlations between brain volume and extracellular free water in the MIA-exposed offspring also indicate converging, multimodal evidence of the impact of MIA on brain development. These findings provide strong evidence for the construct validity of the nonhuman primate MIA model as a system of relevance for investigating the pathophysiology of human neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders. Elevated free water in individuals exposed to immune activation in utero could represent an early marker of a perturbed or vulnerable neurodevelopmental trajectory.

Evaluation of fault rupture propagation through earth dams subjected to reverse faulting: Outcomes from centrifuge simulation

Although permanent ground movement can cause devasting damages to the infrastructures, contributions assessing the effect of faulting on earth dams are limited with no notable experimental outcomes. This paper aims to provide conceptual information by investigating the response of earth dams with a clayey core subjected to reverse fault rupture using centrifuge experiments. The influence of the earth dam's location on the fault tip and the effect of alluvial foundation thickness beneath the dam was addressed by eight centrifuge tests at 60-g centrifugal acceleration. One model also explored the fault rupture-earth dam interaction considering a soil-cement cut-off wall beneath the center of the core. Distortion, sliding, and rotation of cores were observed as consequences of reverse faulting depending on the point of intersection between the dam body and fault trace. An increase in the core deformation was also captured for dams on thinner foundation layers. The freeboard height of the dam also decreases by 48%–90% of the vertical fault throw and should be considered in the design phase to avoid overtopping.