Stability Evaluations of Concrete Dams

Historically, concrete dam analysis focused much of the attention on material property assumptions, which has been and continues to be important. But more recently, the focus is primarily on the modes of failure experienced by these types of dams. This webinar will present a more in-depth review of stability evaluation methods for concrete dams; the basics of which was first presented in the previous webinar entitled “Introduction to Concrete Gravity Dams”. This presentation will expand on linking the method of analysis to the potential failure modes.

This webinar will begin with a brief overview of the origins of rational design methods previously presented in “Introduction to Concrete Gravity Dams”. Other topics consist of:

Concrete Dam Construction and Potential Failure Modes
Material Properties
Loading Cases
Current Federal Agency Criteria
Stability Analysis Methods
Simple Gravity Method
Finite Element Methods

The purpose of this webinar is to familiarize practitioners with the current state-of-the-practice in evaluating the stability of concrete dams.

Speaker and Presenter Information

Guy S. Lund, P.E.

Mr. Lund is a registered professional engineer specializing in civil/structural engineering. He has over 30 years of experience in project management, design, analysis and inspection of water resource related projects. Mr. Lund has experience in the structural analysis of concrete dams, including thin and thick arch, straight gravity, RCC, slab and buttress, and multiple arch dams. He has performed linear and non-linear, two- and three-dimensional thermal, static and seismic evaluations using finite element method of analysis. Related experience also includes geologic study of the foundations for concrete dams, evaluations of rock strengths, jointing and rock block stability. Mr. Lund is also experienced in other dam safety disciplines including hydraulic and structural design of spillways, outlet works, and appurtenant structures, preparing field investigation programs, construction drawings and contract documents.

Robert A. Kline, Jr., P.E.

Bob is a Vice President of Gannett Fleming, Inc. and an Engineering Manager in the firm’s Dams and Hydraulics Section at their Camp Hill, Pennsylvania headquarters office. Over the past 26 years, he has been continuously involved in the planning, design, and construction of over 85 existing rehabilitation and new dam projects. Bob specializes in concrete gravity dam design and was involved in the first roller-compacted concrete (RCC) gravity dams constructed in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and California. In 1998-2003, he served as the RCC Design Task Leader for the Olivenhain Dam in San Diego, California; at 318-feet, it is the tallest new concrete gravity dam constructed in North America in the past 40 years. Throughout his career, he has authored and co-authored numerous papers on the various aspects of concrete gravity dams. Bob is currently serving as a lead designer for several large dam rehabilitation projects in New York and Virginia.

Relevant Government Agencies

Army, Dept of Energy, Dept of Homeland Security, Dept of the Interior, Other Federal Agencies, State Government, County Government, City Government, Municipal Government, FEMA, Federal Government, State & Local Government