ABSTRACT
The scope of this chapter does not include detailed design of a dam but it has been designed in such a way that this chapter will be of service to all category of readers. It will serve as a guide and provides requisite technical information to any professional about the conception of forces acting on a dam and its requirement of stability to ensure buildability and constructability of a dam in any level.
The safety of people who live in the downstream area of a dam, against seismic activity, is growing concern all over the world. Concepts of acting of seismic force on a dam are described and readers will have idea about the difference between earthquake resistance and earthquake proof structure. This chapter provides knowledge to readers that extensive damage occurred to structure by seismic action is not due to the effect of an earthquake, but the structure is not designed as an earthquake resistance structure and leads to national disaster.
