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A Discussion on the Evolution and Application of Quantitative Risk Informed Dam Safety Decision Making

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ICDSME 2019 (ICDSME 2019)

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Abstract

The use of risk informed decision making in the dam safety industry has been growing since the introduction of a formal (albeit simplified) risk assessment process by the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 2000. This Probable Failure Modes Analysis (PFMA) technique is widely used throughout the United States and elsewhere but recently has come under some criticism. However, despite the shortcomings with this, and other, simplified risk assessment methodologies, when used in conjunction with standards-based analyses and sound engineering judgement the qualitative approach to risk informed dam safety management and prioritization offers great value. These approaches can be further enhanced through the use of a semi-quantitative approach that makes use of a new risk screening tool to assess the probability of failure of potential failure modes in a transparent and scientific manner.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Independent Forensic Team Report, Oroville Dam Spillway Incident. Page 65, 1 January 2018.

  2. 2.

    Bluvband, Zigmund, & Grabov, Pavel (2009). Failure Analysis of FMEA. Advanced Logistics Development.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Global Principal Consultant, Dams and Waterpower. Hatch Ltd., Niagara Falls, ON, Canada

    C. Richard Donnelly

  2. Environment and Parks, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    A. M. Acharya

Authors
  1. C. Richard Donnelly
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  2. A. M. Acharya
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Correspondence to C. Richard Donnelly .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Energy Infrastructure (IEI), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Lariyah Mohd Sidek

  2. Institute of Energy Infrastructure (IEI), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Gasim Hayder Ahmed Salih

  3. TNB Research Sdn. Bhd., Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Mohd Hariffin Boosroh

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Donnelly, C.R., Acharya, A.M. (2020). A Discussion on the Evolution and Application of Quantitative Risk Informed Dam Safety Decision Making. In: Mohd Sidek, L., Salih, G., Boosroh, M. (eds) ICDSME 2019. ICDSME 2019. Water Resources Development and Management. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1971-0_52

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