Some particular issues in the application of Eurocode 7 to embankment dams

Eurocode 7 (BSI, 1997a) sets out the “principles and requirements for safety and serviceability” and “sets out the basis of design” to be applied to the geotechnical aspects of buildings and civil engineering works.

Whilst there are several guidance documents and text books which discuss the application of Eurocodes to infrastructure embankments, there is very little guidance on how to deal with the assessment of embankment dams.

Using British Research Establishment Report BR 363 (Johnston et al, 1999) as a benchmark, and making particular reference to flood attenuation embankments, this paper summarises available guidance on the subject of limit state (GEO) design of the embankments (excluding rapid drawdown). It uses worked examples to test the use of partial factor modifiers to increase the level of safety for embankment dams and includes various approaches for dealing with variable water levels/pressures.