Seismic Analysis of Tepuxtepec Dam

Abstract eng:
In this paper, the results obtained of the seismic analysis to Tepuxtepec’s dam are presented. Tepuxtepec dam was constructed in order to fulfill three functions, namely: power generation, flood control and to supply water for the irrigation to 3,680 ha in the region. The dam is located inside the Acambay graben. In spite of the fact that the majority of the earthquakes in Mexico are related directly to the tectonic plate’s movement, there are however, less frequent earthquakes that happen inside the continents, which magnitudes could be important. The Acambay graben is located in the central sector of the Mexican Volcanic Belt, which is one of a series of east-west–oriented grabens along the Chapala-Tula fault systems that practically follows the axis of the belt, and are thus interpreted as intra-arch tectonic depressions. The Acambay graben is responsible of earthquakes that occur near the Tepuxtepec’s dam. For this reason and considering number of years that Tepuxtepec’s dam has been in operation, LyFC (Government company) decided that it was necessary to perform a complete analysis of the structure, in order to determine its present factor of safety, considering current conditions of materials, the seismicity and the operation conditions, to which one the dam is subjected. The results will serve to define the necessary actions that LyFC needs to take, in order to improve the seismic behavior of the dam, since it is expected that dam will continue its operation for yet several years.

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