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Title: ISSUES, RESOLUTIONS, AND RESEARCH NEEDS RELATED TO EMBANKMENT DAM FAILURE ANALYSIS

Author
item Hanson, Gregory
item SNORTELAND, NATHAN - USBR
item Temple, Darrel
item IRWIN, BILL - USDA-NRCS

Submitted to: State Dam Safety Officials Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2002
Publication Date: 6/1/2002
Citation: Hanson, G.J., Snorteland, N., Temple, D.M., Irwin, B. 2002. Issues, resolutions, and research needs related to embankment dam failure analysis. CDROM. In: Dam Safety 2002. Proceedings of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, September 2002, Tampa, FL.

Interpretive Summary: This document is the proceedings of a 3-day workshop on "Issues, Resolutions, and Research Needs Related to Embankment Dam Failure Analysis," held in Oklahoma City, OK, June 26-28th, 2001. The workshop consisted of convening and facilitating a group of experts with respect to dam safety associated with embankment dam failure analysis. The purpose of this workshop was to determine state of the practice, identify short-term and long-term research needs, and to recommend an approach for addressing these needs. Experts presented and discussed the 1) impacts of dam failure, 2) tools available for prediction of dam failure, 3) case histories, 4) present assessment criteria, 5) current research on dam failure, and 6) research needs related to dam failure. Approximately 35 participants attended representing state, federal, and private entities from all areas of the country as well as around the world. As a result of the presentations and discussions the workshop participants identified 14 leading research needs including; developing forensic guidelines, developing breach parameter selection guidelines, conducting basic physical model research, developing a better historic data set, and developing better computer-based predictive models. The 14 research needs were prioritized by the workshop participants based on a qualitative determination of the cost to address, the value of, and the probability of success.

Technical Abstract: This document is the proceedings of a 3-day workshop on "Issues, Resolutions, and Research Needs Related to Embankment Dam Failure Analysis," held in Oklahoma City, OK, June 26-28th, 2001. The workshop consisted of convening and facilitating a group of experts with respect to dam safety associated with embankment dam failure analysis. The purpose of this workshop was to determine state of the practice, identify short-term and long-term research needs, and to recommend an approach for addressing these needs. Experts presented and discussed the 1) impacts of dam failure, 2) tools available for prediction of dam failure, 3) case histories, 4) present assessment criteria, 5) current research on dam failure, and 6) research needs related to dam failure. Approximately 35 participants attended representing state, federal, and private entities from all areas of the country as well as around the world. As a result of the presentations and discussions the workshop participants identified 14 leading research needs including; developing forensic guidelines, developing breach parameter selection guidelines, conducting basic physical model research, developing a better historic data set, and developing better computer-based predictive models. The 14 research needs were prioritized by the workshop participants based on a qualitative determination of the cost to address, the value of, and the probability of success.