Softening and shearing in the cores of embankment dams

摘要

Cracking has been observed, and softened zones detected in compacted earthfill cores of several central core earth and rockfill dams, and another dam showing signs of marginal stability. These occur as internal deformations due to lack of support from dumped or poorly compacted rockfill, and differential movement between the fill and the foundation. They are important from the view point of assessing the factor of safety, and for internal erosion and piping.