Intensity distribution and characteristics of severely damaged earth-rock dams induced by Wenchuan Earthquake

The relationship between the damage types and levels of earth-rock dams in different seismice intensity regions is studied. Based on survey and statistic analysis of 69 severely damaged earth-rock dams induced by Wenchuan Earthquake, the occurrence of seismic damage is closely related to the seismice intensity. The data show that there is no severely damaged dam in the areas which are less than VI level of seismic intensity. With the increasing intensity level, the damage types and levels of dams increase. There are different damage types in different intensity zones, but dam cracks are the most common form. Serious horizontal penetrating cracks are the main threat to dams in IX level intensity. The damage types and risk levels of severely damaged dams in different intensity zones are different. The seismic design and emergency rescue should be aware of these characteristics to reduce the secondary disasters caused by dams failure during earthquakes.