Wave passage effects on the response of earth dams

An analytical model is presented for the steady-state lateral response of earthfill and rockfill dams in canyons subjected to a steady train of harmonic SH-waves incident at an arbitrary angle (theta). The dam is idealized as a two-dimensional shear beam with a triangular cross-section, while the canyon is considered rectangular and consists of elastic rock. A parametric study is undertaken to investigate the influence on the steady-state response of (1) the angle of incidence (theta) of the incoming waves, (2) the impedance ratio, and (3) the canyon narrowness. Results are presented.