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IS 1893 Part 5 : 2016Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures - Dams and Embankments

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EN 1998-1 · NZS 1170.5
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeWater Resources · Disaster Resilience and Retrofitting
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OverviewValues5InternationalTablesFAQ3RelatedQA/QCNew

IS 1893:2016 Part 5 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for criteria for earthquake resistant design of structures - dams and embankments. This code specifies the criteria and methodology for the earthquake-resistant design of concrete, masonry, earth, and rockfill dams and embankments. It provides guidelines for evaluating design seismic coefficients, hydrodynamic pressures, and performing both pseudo-static and dynamic analyses.

Specifies criteria for earthquake resistant design of various types of dams and embankments.

Quick Reference — IS 1893 Part 5:2016 Dams & Embankments

DBE/MCE return periods, pseudo-static and response-spectrum methods, hydrodynamic pressure (Westergaard) and freeboard for dams.

✓ Verified 2026-04-26
ReferenceValueClause
ScopeEarthquake-resistant design of dams and embankmentsCl. 1
Importance factor I — large dams (Class A)1.5–2.0Cl. 5 (Table)
Importance factor I — medium dams1.0–1.5Cl. 5 (Table)
Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) — return period475-yr (typical) for serviceabilityCl. 4.2
Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE) — return period10,000-yr / Mmax in tectonic blockCl. 4.2
Concrete gravity dam — analysis methodsPseudo-static + Response spectrum + Time history (large)Cl. 6
Earthen dam — analysisPseudo-static (Newmark sliding block) for screeningCl. 7
Hydrodynamic pressure — Westergaard'sp = (7/8) ρw √(H · y) for vertical faceAnnex / Cl. 6.5
Design horizontal coeff. — pseudo-static (DBE)Per Z, I, R combination from Part 1Cl. 5.4
Vertical component(2/3) × horizontal (or 0.5 × for smaller dams)Cl. 5.5
Damping — concrete dam (linear)5 % (DBE) / 7–10 % (MCE)Cl. 6.4
Damping — earth/rockfill (DBE)10 % (typical)Cl. 7.4
Liquefaction — assessment mandatoryFoundation cohesionless soil, dam ≥ Class BCl. 8
Freeboard — wave + seiche after EQPer project (≥1.0–1.5 m typical)Cl. 7.6
Performance criterion — DBENo structural damage / no loss of reservoirCl. 4.3
Performance criterion — MCERepairable damage; reservoir retentionCl. 4.3
⚠ Site-specific seismic studies (DSHA / PSHA) typically required for Class A dams. Use CWC Guidelines + USACE for detail.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Water Resources — Disaster Resilience and Retrofitting
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
EN 1998-1:2004 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization) (Europe)NZS 1170.5:2004 · Standards New Zealand (NZ)
Typically used with
IS 6512IS 10430
Also on InfraLens for IS 1893
5Key values1Tables1QA/QC templates1Handbook topics2Knowledge articles3FAQs
Practical Notes
! Dynamic analysis is mandatory for dams exceeding 15m in height in Seismic Zones IV and V, and for dams exceeding 30m in Zones II and III.
! Hydrodynamic pressure computations must account for both horizontal and vertical earthquake forces, often utilizing Zangar's method.
! Site-specific seismic studies (yielding site-specific spectra) are highly recommended for large or critical dams rather than relying solely on the generalized codal spectra.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 6Design Seismic ParametersCl. 7Earthquake Resistant Design of Masonry and Concrete Gravity DamsCl. 7.2.2Hydrodynamic PressureCl. 8Earthquake Resistant Design of Earth and Rockfill DamsCl. 8.1Pseudo-Static Method
Pulled from IS 1893:2016. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
concretemasonryearthrockfill

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
ASCE 7-16ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) (US)
HighWithdrawn
Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures
Specifies minimum design loads for buildings and other structures, including a comprehensive section on seismic design requirements.
EN 1998-1:2004CEN (European Committee for Standardization) (Europe)
HighCurrent
Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance - Part 1: General rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings
Provides general rules for the seismic design of buildings, including seismic actions and specific rules for various structural systems.
NZS 1170.5:2004Standards New Zealand (NZ)
MediumCurrent
Structural design actions - Part 5: Earthquake actions - New Zealand
Specifies seismic actions for the structural design of buildings and other structures in New Zealand.
Key Differences
≠Seismic Hazard Definition and Site Characterization: IS 1893:2016 defines seismic hazard through four seismic zones (II, III, IV, V) with corresponding Zone Factors (Z = 0.10, 0.16, 0.24, 0.36) representing PGA for MCE. It classifies sites into three types (Type I, II, III) based on soil strata. ASCE 7-16 uses a more refined approach with mapped risk-targeted maximum considered earthquake (MCE_R) spectral response accelerations (Ss and S1) at short periods and 1-second period, respectively, and site classification (Site Classes A to F) determined by average shear wave velocity (Vs30) over the top 30m, which allows for a more detailed site-specific response spectrum.
≠Response Reduction Factor (R-factor) and Ductility: IS 1893:2016 provides discrete R-factors for various structural systems (e.g., R=5 for Special RC Moment Resisting Frame (SMRF), R=4 for Ordinary RC Moment Resisting Frame (OMRF)). ASCE 7-16 provides R (Response Modification Coefficient), Cd (Deflection Amplification Factor), and Ω₀ (Overstrength Factor) for a wider range of structural systems, with generally higher R-factors (e.g., R=8 for Special Reinforced Concrete Moment Frames), reflecting different assumptions about overstrength and ductility demands.
≠Design Response Spectrum: IS 1893:2016 provides a simplified design spectrum where Sa/g is constant up to a period Ta, then decreases, and then again decreases, which is less dependent on mapped ground motions directly. ASCE 7-16's design spectrum is directly derived from mapped Ss and S1 values, site coefficients (Fa and Fv), and a long-period transition period (TL), allowing for a more tailored spectrum based on the specific seismic hazard and site conditions.
≠P-delta Effects: IS 1893:2016, Clause 7.11.1, requires P-delta effects to be considered if the stability index (θ) exceeds 0.10. ASCE 7-16, Clause 12.8.7, requires P-delta effects to be considered for all structures unless specifically exempt, and provides a stability coefficient calculation; if the stability coefficient (θ) exceeds 0.10 (or 0.25 for certain cases), explicit P-delta analysis or amplification of forces is required. If θ > 0.25, the structure is deemed unstable and must be redesigned.
≠Irregularity Considerations: IS 1893:2016 defines various plan and vertical irregularities (e.g., torsional, re-entrant corner, mass, stiffness irregularities) and prescribes specific provisions such as requiring dynamic analysis or increasing design forces for torsional irregularity. ASCE 7-16 provides a more detailed classification of horizontal (e.g., torsional, diaphragm discontinuity, nonparallel systems) and vertical irregularities (e.g., soft story, mass irregularity, in-plane discontinuity in vertical elements), with specific requirements for analysis methods (e.g., 3D dynamic analysis for certain irregularities) or limitations on their use.
Key Similarities
≈Dual Analysis Methods: Both IS 1893:2016 and ASCE 7-16 (and EN 1998-1:2004) permit the use of either the Equivalent Static Method for regular buildings within certain height limits or the more rigorous Dynamic Analysis (Response Spectrum Method) for irregular or taller buildings. The applicability criteria for these methods are similar in principle, based on building regularity and height.
≈Importance Factor: Both codes incorporate an Importance Factor (I in IS 1893, Ie in ASCE 7) to modify the design seismic forces based on the occupancy category and post-earthquake functional requirements of the building (e.g., hospitals, fire stations typically have higher factors). This ensures higher safety levels for critical facilities.
≈Torsional Effects: Both IS 1893:2016 and ASCE 7-16 mandate the consideration of torsional effects in design. This includes accounting for both natural eccentricity between the center of mass and center of rigidity, as well as an accidental torsion component to cover uncertainties in mass and stiffness distribution or rotational ground motion.
≈Minimum Number of Modes for Dynamic Analysis: Both codes specify that for dynamic analysis (response spectrum method), a sufficient number of modes must be considered such that the sum of modal masses for each principal direction is at least 90% of the total seismic mass of the building. This ensures that the significant dynamic response of the structure is captured.
≈Ductile Detailing Requirements: Both IS 1893:2016 (by reference to IS 13920) and international codes like ASCE 7-16 (by reference to ACI 318 for concrete or AISC 341 for steel) emphasize the critical importance of ductile detailing in structural members to allow for inelastic deformation without brittle failure during a major earthquake. This includes requirements for confinement, lap splice locations, and joint design.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Seismic Zone Factor (Z) / MCEr PGA equivalentZ = 0.36 for Zone V (highest seismic zone)Mapped Ss and S1 values up to ~2.0g and 0.8g (MCEr spectral acceleration for short and 1-second period respectively), which can translate to PGA up to ~0.5g or more in high seismic regions.ASCE 7-16
Soil Classification TypesType I (Rock/Hard), Type II (Medium), Type III (Soft)Site Class A (Hard Rock) to F (Special Soils)ASCE 7-16
Response Reduction Factor (R) for Special RC Moment Resisting Frame (SMRF)R = 5R = 8 for Special Reinforced Concrete Moment FramesASCE 7-16
Importance Factor (I / Ie) for Essential Facilities (e.g., Hospitals)I = 1.5Ie = 1.5ASCE 7-16
Minimum Cumulative Mass Participation for Dynamic AnalysisAt least 90% of the total seismic massAt least 90% of the total seismic massASCE 7-16 / EN 1998-1:2004
Basic value of Factor for site amplification (similar to Fa, Fv)Varies based on soil type and time period (e.g. constant 2.5 for T between 0.1 and Ta for Type II soil)Site Coefficient Fa (short periods) and Fv (long periods), varying with Site Class and mapped spectral accelerationsASCE 7-16
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values5

Quick Reference Values
Importance Factor (I) for dams1.5
Damping ratio for concrete/masonry dams (DBE)5%
Damping ratio for concrete/masonry dams (MCE)7%
Damping ratio for earth/rockfill dams (DBE)10%
Damping ratio for earth/rockfill dams (MCE)15%
Key Formulas
p = C * αh * w * h — Hydrodynamic pressure at depth y using Zangar's method
T = 2.9 * H / Vs — Fundamental natural period of vibration of an earth or rockfill dam
αh = (Z/2) * (I/R) * (Sa/g) — Design horizontal seismic coefficient

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Values of Damping for Dams
Key Clauses
Clause 6 - Design Seismic Parameters
Clause 7 - Earthquake Resistant Design of Masonry and Concrete Gravity Dams
Clause 7.2.2 - Hydrodynamic Pressure
Clause 8 - Earthquake Resistant Design of Earth and Rockfill Dams
Clause 8.1 - Pseudo-Static Method

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 6512:2018Criteria for Design of Cross-Section for Cana...
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IS 10430:2009Criteria for Design of Siphons
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Handbook & Design Rules
Handbook Topics
📖Seismic Zone Data (IS 1893)
→
Articles & Guides
📖Earthquake Zones of India
→
📖IS 1893 vs ASCE 7: Seismic Design Code Comparison (India vs USA)
→
🧮
Mix Design Calculator
IS 10262 · M20–M50

Frequently Asked Questions3

What importance factor should be used for dams?+
An Importance Factor (I) of 1.5 is adopted for all dams.
How is hydrodynamic pressure calculated for gravity dams?+
It is calculated using Zangar's method, which assumes a parabolic pressure distribution of incompressible water against the upstream face (Clause 7.2.2).
When is dynamic analysis required for an earth dam?+
It is required if the height of the dam is greater than 15m in Zones IV and V, or greater than 30m in Zones II and III.

QA/QC Inspection Templates

Code-Specific Templates for IS 1893
✅
Seismic Compliance Checklist
checklist
Excel / PDF