Assistant Professor Iowa State University, Iowa, United States
Abstract Submission: Earthen Dams are crucial in water resource management, offering flood control, water storage, and hydroelectric power. As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of floods and droughts, the design and maintenance of hydraulic structures such as earthen dams face unprecedented challenges. This study explores how climate-induced shifts in precipitation patterns and temperature affect the stability of earthen dams. Hydromechanical numerical modeling is conducted to simulate dam behavior under both historical and projected climate scenarios, incorporating key hydrologic, geotechnical, and climate variables such as air temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, wind speed, net radiation, and soil hydraulic conductivity. The simulations account for variable saturation levels and transient flow conditions induced by weather events. Risk assessment is conducted to analyze the evolution of seepage quantity and buildup pore pressure in the presence of extreme and non-extreme drawdown conditions. This approach aims to enhance our understanding of dam resilience amidst climate change, contributing to more robust and reliable water infrastructure management.
