Cornforth Consultants
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Barney Dam Seismic Analysis

Yamhill, Oregon
Cornforth Consultants was retained by the Barney Joint Commission to evaluate the seismic stability of a 50-foot raise of the existing Trask River Dam (subsequently renamed Eldon Mills Dam). Potential seismic ground motions were evaluated for three seismic sources: an interface subduction earthquake; an intraplate subduction earthquake; and various crustal earthquakes. The ground motion parameters assigned to each source included the maximum credible earthquakes (MCE), peak bedrock accelerations (mean and 84th percentile values), and acceleration time histories. Probabilistic estimates of return periods were also developed for the peak motions.

The bedrock acceleration time histories were propagated through the soil in a site-specific ground response analysis. The seismic stability of the dam was performed using finite element methodology. Initial static shear stresses within the embankment and foundation soils were calculated, and the free-field time histories were input into a 2-dimensional finite element program to calculate the resulting dynamic shear stresses and accelerations within the embankment.
​
The dynamic shear strength of the slightly clayey silt foundation soil was tested in the laboratory using a cyclic triaxial apparatus. The dynamic shear strength was compared with the calculated shear stresses to obtain an estimate of the increase in pore water pressures that would be induced by earthquake motions. The resulting increase in pore water pressure was modeled in limit-equilibrium stability analyses. Finally, an estimate of the crest deformation was determined using a Newmark-type analysis.
SR 191 Looking East, Approaching Moab, Utah
Barney Dam

​Services Provided:

  • Regional and Site Specific Seismic Evaluation
  • Design Response Spectra
  • Soil Response
  • Ground Motion Determination
  • Acceleration Time Histories
  • Home
  • Services
    • Earth & Rockfill Dams
    • Reservoirs, Canals, and Levees
    • Spillway Safety Inspections
    • Landslides and Rockfall
    • Earthquake Engineering
    • Geologic Hazards
    • Geotechnical Site Characterization
    • Hydrogeology
    • Expert Witness
    • Concrete Dams and Locks
    • Geotechnical Instrumentation
    • Deep and Shallow Foundations
    • Geotechnical Manuals
  • Industries
    • Water Resources
    • Energy
    • Natural Resources
    • Industrial
    • Transportation
    • Ports and Airports
    • Expert Witness
  • Projects
    • Earth and Rockfill Dams >
      • Barney Reservoir
      • Frog Lake Reservoir
      • Iron Gate Dam Raise
      • McGuire Dam Raise
      • Bonneville Cofferdam
      • Bull Run No. 2 Seismic Stability Analysis
    • Levees and Canals >
      • Libby Dike Rehab.
      • St. Johns Dike Stabilization
      • Cowlitz River Levees
      • Swift Canal Failure
    • Earthquake Engineering >
      • Barney Dam Seismic Analysis
      • Fern Hill WTP Liquefacation Study
      • Bull Run No. 2 Seismic Stability Analysis
      • Mt. Tabor Seismic Stability Analysis
      • Port Westward Power Plant Seismic Design
    • Rock Slopes and Tunnels >
      • Libby Rockfall Mitigation
      • Sandy River Pipeline Tunnels
      • Ketchikan Third Avenue Extension
      • Sain Creek Water Supply Tunnel
      • Montana Rockfall Hazard Rating System
    • Foundations >
      • Port Westward Power Plant
      • Cascade Locks Casino
      • Air National Guard Hangar
      • Biglow Canyon Windfarm
      • Oakridge Water System Improvements
    • Concrete Dams and Locks >
      • John Day Lock & Dam
      • Marmot Dam Removal
      • The Dalles Dam
      • Willamette Falls Dam
      • Bonneville Dam
    • Transportation >
      • OTIA Cracked Bridge Geotechnical Baselines
      • Newburg Dundee Bypass Design DEIS
      • I-84 Sandy River Bridge Investigation
      • Tanana River Bridge Foundation, Tok, Alaska
      • Montana RHRS Implementation
      • Ketchikan Third Avenue Extension
    • Ports and Airports >
      • Navy CVN Drydock
      • Depoe Bay Seawall Distress
      • Willamette Falls Flow Control Structure
      • Air National Guard Hangar
    • Water and Wastewater >
      • Fern Hill Water Treatment Plant
      • Tualatin Valley North Transmission Line
      • Evaluation of 28 Water Storage Facilities
      • City of Sandy Water Treatment Plant
      • Mt. Tabor Reservoir No. 5 Cap Study
      • Oakridge Water System Improvements
  • Staff
  • Resources
  • Careers
    • Geotechnical Engineer
  • Contact Us