Seismic risk analysis for large dams in West Coast basin, southern Ghana

Abstract

Dams are parts of the critical infrastructure of any nation, the failure of which would have a high-risk potential on the people and properties within the dam vicinity. Ghana is one of the most seismically active regions in West Africa and has at least 5 large dams across the region, constructed in strategic locations. The area is characterised by low-to-moderate seismicity, yet historical events suggest that major earthquakes that are potentially damaging have occurred in the study basin. This paper summarises the method used to analyse seismic risk and discusses the seismic hazards of three large dams across the study basin based on the seismicity at the dam sites and their risk due to structural properties and the location of each dam. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) values for the dam sites estimated are within the range of (0.31 g and 0.52 g) for 10,000 years return period. The study shows that one large dam has a high-risk class in the basin. This dam should be inspected and analysed for its seismic safety and people’s protection in the downstream paths.

Seismic activities in Ghana: A systematic review

“…Irinyemi et al (2022) [ 24 ] employed a probabilistic approach for seismic hazard analysis relying on the probabilistic approach by Cornell (1968) [ 25 ] which was later modified by McGuire (1995) [ 26 ]. Depending on the regional characteristic maximum credible magnitude (Mmax), the authors calculated the maximum predicted peak ground acceleration (PGA) for dam locations throughout the West Coast Basin in southern Ghana.…”

Seismic Activities in Ghana: A Systematic Review

“…Irinyemi et al ( 2022) [23] employed a probabilistic approach for seismic hazard analysis relying on the probabilistic approach by Cornell (1968) [24] which was later modified by McGuire (1995) [25]. Depending on the regional characteristic maximum credible magnitude (Mmax), the authors calculated the maximum predicted peak ground acceleration (PGA) for dam locations throughout the West Coast Basin in southern Ghana.…”

Seismic hazard and total risk analysis for cascade dams situated in geologically sensitive regions

“…Since then, extensive research attention has been focused on adaptation response to seismic implications from disaster risk management insights, particularly for identi ed hydropower bases in Sichuan Province, which is a seismic-prone region. Several studies have been conducted to investigate complex topographical and geological conditions, potentially seismic disastrous consequences, stability of hydraulic structures, and unpredictable economic crises (Vanzi et al, 2015;Oyguc et al, 2018;Jiang et al, 2022;Irinyemi et al, 2022). Although these studies primarily focused on analysing the nature of seismic ground motions and regional tectonic activities, only few of them (Hasan et al, 2007 and; Srivastava et al, 2010;Hariri-Ardebili et al, 2018) have investigated seismic performance risk for dams or their facilities.…”