A continuous Bayesian network for earth dams' risk assessment: an application
article
Dams are civil engineering structures to hinder water flows. Criteria such as purpose, size and construction material
are useful to categorise them. The latter is used to classify ‘earth dams’, which tend to have higher risk levels than
other types. The failure of a dam leads to significant economic loss and usually to catastrophic impacts. In an effort
to comprehensively examine the variables that influence earth dam breaks and describe their interactions, a model
has been developed in such a way that it allows to assess risks and to prioritise the allocation of resources for
maintenance activities. The research was carried out by systematically reviewing the literature, which led to the
choice of Bayesian Networks (BNs) as a tool for assessing risks. Using data from seven case studies in Mexico, a
model was built, which helped to rank the dams under study, leading to results comparable with those reported in
the literature. While the particular type of BN used and its quantification is presented more extensively in an
accompanying paper, the model may be of interest for dam owners, managers, practitioners and academics on their
efforts to manage earth dams’ risks
are useful to categorise them. The latter is used to classify ‘earth dams’, which tend to have higher risk levels than
other types. The failure of a dam leads to significant economic loss and usually to catastrophic impacts. In an effort
to comprehensively examine the variables that influence earth dam breaks and describe their interactions, a model
has been developed in such a way that it allows to assess risks and to prioritise the allocation of resources for
maintenance activities. The research was carried out by systematically reviewing the literature, which led to the
choice of Bayesian Networks (BNs) as a tool for assessing risks. Using data from seven case studies in Mexico, a
model was built, which helped to rank the dams under study, leading to results comparable with those reported in
the literature. While the particular type of BN used and its quantification is presented more extensively in an
accompanying paper, the model may be of interest for dam owners, managers, practitioners and academics on their
efforts to manage earth dams’ risks
TNO Identifier
469126
Source
Structure and Infrastructure Engineering, pp. 1-14.
Pages
1-14
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