Flood Loading Analysis - Practical Guidance for Slope Stability

Slope stability analysis for embankment dams is a standard engineering method for evaluating the stability of existing and new dams. The flood loading condition is among those cases typically evaluated in modern practice and invokes its own unique approaches and challenges. Published guidance on the approach to flood loading slope stability analyses is not consistent across the various guidance documents and regulatory agencies. As a result, inconsistent and sometimes inappropriate analysis methods are applied. This paper will present an overall review of available methods of analyzing stability under flood loading conditions and explore the effect on factor of safety that each method may have. The paper will also provide practical guidance for designers in selecting the appropriate method when performing the flood loading stability analysis.