EP 1110-2-13
28 Jun 96
Appendix E
safety and hydrological considerations that would lead
to predictions of the probable maximum flood that the
Research and Development
dam might have to withstand because these topics had
received extensive treatment in a previous study by the
National Research Council of the National Academy of
E-1. Introduction
Sciences issued in March 1985 (National Research
Council 1985).
a. General. A strong research and development
effort is necessary to reduce the uncertainties still
(a) The most important needs for dam safety
present in dam engineering. Few research projects to
research identified by the workshop participants
date, exceptions are in risk analysis and hydrologic
included (Karadi and Landis 1986) overtopping of
design parameters, have been undertaken in the name of
dams (primarily earth and rock-fill dams), and the
dam safety. Alternately, many research projects may
development of rational uplift criteria for concrete
provide a better understanding of site investigation and
dams.
characterization, geotechnical and/or hydraulic
considerations, construction methods, natural
(b) Almost as much importance was placed on a
phenomenon and structural performance, all of which
second set of issues including development of a data
contribute to the safety of dams (Federal Emergency
base for earth and rock-fill dams and technology
Management Agency 1979, Interagency Committee on
transfer, research on seepage and permeability as well
Dam Safety Research Subcommittee 1982).
as grouting, development of prediction techniques for
inception and progression of erosion, evaluation of
b. Definition. The Interagency Committee on
seismic behavior of concrete dams, and experimentation
Dam Safety (ICODS) Research Subcommittee has
on natural and synthetic materials to define erosion and
taken a liberal approach and defined dam safety
erosion control parameters.
research as that research which can help enhance the
safety of dams (Interagency Committee on Dam Safety
d. Overview of dam safety research. The
Research Subcommittee 1982).
Government, industry and the academic community
recognize the necessity for research in dam safety.
c.
Assessment of needs in dam safety research.
During the 1980's numerous dam safety research was
initiated to study problems such as spillway adequacy,
(1) Interagency Committee on Dam Safety Report.
foundation defects, and piping (Thomas 1987).
In 1980 the Research Subcommittee of ICODS was
organized and charged to identify current dam safety
research to develop a 5-year projection of research
E-2. Dam Safety Research in the Corps of
needs and to establish priorities for the research needs.
Engineers
In a report issued in May 1982, the Research
Subcommittee, for the first time, presented consolidated
a. Civil works program. The Corps of Engineers
information on research projects and needed dam safety
for many years has had an extensive research program
research (Federal Emergency Management Agency
seeking solutions to problems encountered in its civil
1982).
works program for water resource development
(Federal Emergency Management Agency 1988b).
(2) Electric Power Research Institute and Federal
Emergency Management Agency Workshop. A
b. Repair, Evaluation, Maintenance, and
workshop on dam safety needs, sponsored by the
Rehabilitation Program. The Corps of Engineers has
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the
recently completed a 6-year major multidisciplinary
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was
research and development program entitled "Repair,
held in Denver, CO, in July 1985 to study research
Evaluation, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation (REMR)
needs in dam safety. The workshop excluded seismic
Program." The primary objective of the REMR
disturbance predictions and their influence on dam
program was to identify and develop effective and
E-1
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