KLAN MIRZA - Lifeline Group of International Institute of Earthquake Engineering & Seismology P.O.Box: ۱۹۳۹۵/۳۹۱۳ Tehran / Iran

The consequences of a large dam failing can be disastrous, so the seismic design of dams is an important part of earthquake engineering. Although no concrete dams have failed because of earthquakes, it is important to recognize that these structures have not been seriously tested-in the sense that very rarely has a large earthquake occurred close to a major concrete darn with a full reservoir.(Chopra) Then, an accurate analysis and design is needed for best behavior of dams subjected to ground motions. At present time, several approaches have been defined by many researchers, which include how to use the essential parameters in analysis and design. In this paper, the general ideas and a comparison between the traditional and latest dynamic design procedures will be discussed. In a full dynamic analysis and design, a designer must consider interaction between dam-water-foundation so that if can have the most possible realistic behavior of structure. Effects of these interactions will be discussed at this paper.