Motions of Earth Fill Dams During the Gasbuggy Event
Abstract
Measurements of motions were made on and near the Navajo and the El Vado Dams during the Gasbuggy detonation. These dams were 38 and 43 km, respectively, from the center of the detonation. The response of these earth-filled dams to the seismic motions from the Gasbuggy Event were analyzed in both the time (velocity) and frequency (power spectral density) domains. Amplification of ground motions were found to be dependent upon frequency and location. Resultant peak particle velocity amplitudes on the crest were found to be 2.1 times the base motion on the Navajo Dam and 2.7 times the base motion on the El Vado Dam. Peak power spectral densities were found to range from 3 or 4 times base motion to as much as 40 times base motion at the dam's resonant frequencies. Correlations of power spectral densities for different stations resulted in a determination of the frequencies for the first few natural modes. Shear wave velocities of about 1100 ft/sec in the fill material were calculated using these frequencies and a simple mechanical model of the dams.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- ADA382441
Entities
People
- Dean V. Power
Organizations
- University of California