Stability assessment of a circular earth dam

Stability of a circular earth dam is assessed for radial cracking potential and static slope stability using continuum mechanics‐based three‐dimensional numerical models. Comparisons of numerical model results for a circular water tank with vertical walls and different radii with their analytical counterparts are included to support the validity of the ideas and their implementation in the continuum mechanics‐based computer program used. Effects of sloping wall faces and Poisson's ratio on computed deformations and stresses are also included. The same numerical models are used to assess stability of a circular dam in terms of factor‐of‐safety and associated failure surface. Three‐dimensional slope stability analysis results are compared with continuum based two‐dimensional slope stability analysis results to assess the magnitude of 3D effects. Example problems are included to illustrate the use of ideas presented. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.