Aseismic measures for asphalt concrete core dams by dynamic centrifuge modelling tests

Dynamic centrifuge modelling tests are carried out to study the effectiveness of aseismic measures for a sand-gravel dam with asphalt concrete core wall under design earthquake. 2 models are used to simulate 2 dams without and with aseismic measures. The acceleration response, deformation, core wall stress and stability are analyzed. For the 2 dams, the acceleration amplification is almost the same below the reinforced region. In the reinforced region, the amplification effect is stronger than that of the dam without aseismic measures. The crest settlement rate is 0.442% and 0.366%, respectively without and with aseismic measures. The maximum seismic stress is recorded in the core wall of 2/3~4/5 dam height. The aseismic measures reduce the stress on the core wall obviously. The failure mode is mainly the separation between upstream revetment and rockfill material induced by settlement, causing revetment to crack or even collapse. But no evident failure is observed on the reinforced dam. The designed aseismic measures are solid under design earthquake according to test results.