Application of Geophysical Methods to the Safety Analysis of an Earth Dam

摘要

A series of events occurred at an earth-filled dam which raised a serious question about the safety of the dam. An integrated geophysical survey, including dc resistivity, controlled source magnetotelluric (CSMT), ground penetrating radar (GPR), and seismic refraction and tomography methods, has been conducted on the dam. The purpose of the survey was to provide basic data through imaging the internal structure of the embankment for a precise safety and stability examination of the dam. One of the essential reasons applying various kinds of geophysical methods is to view the physical properties of the internal structure of the dam and to compare the results each other. The second reason is to accomplish two survey objectives in the safety examination of the dam: imaging of the internal condition of the dam and investigation of the basement structures beneath the dam and its vicinity.