Influence of input assumptions on evaluation of seismic performance of an earth dam

Seismic performance of earth dams can nowadays be performed via dynamic analyses using constitutive models of sufficient accuracy in describing cyclic soil behaviour. However, a number of assumptions different from soil model affect the problem as a whole. In this paper, a 2D model of a simplified scheme of a homogeneous earth dam is developed, to assess the influence of bedrock compliance, vertical component of ground motion and initial pore water pressure distribution on its seismic performance, thus providing some guidance on the choices that should be adopted for a safe assessment of the seismic performance of existing earth dams.