A.R. Arakelyan (vitoarakel@yahoo.com), M.K. Hazarika (manzul@ait.asia), R.S. Movsesyan (rubmov@ysu.am), S.N. Nazaretyan (snaznssp@mail.ru), V.S. Khondkaryan (khondkaryan@yahoo.com)
Abstract
Reservoirs and tailings ponds for the mining industry relate to hydraulic structures, presenting a
potentially high risk, since their damage may be accompanied by serious socio-economic and environmental
consequences. The design, construction, and operation of such facilities in seismically active areas require
special approaches and safety measures. The main goal of the article is to identity general issues related to
the seismic vulnerability of dams and other enclosing structures in Armenia in order to attract the attention of
specialists and decision-makers to this problem. By considering important issues in light o f modern
requirements and views, some new data have been obtained on the seismic hazard and risk of reservoir dams
and tailings ponds. It is concluded that the seismic risk of the territories of most reservoirs and tailings ponds
in the Republic of Armenia is high due to the vulnerability of dams and enclosing structures. And its seismic
resistance does not meet modern regulatory requirements for various reasons. General recommendations are
offered for conducting the necessary new research, in particular, seismic, engineering-geological, etc. in
order to increase the safety of the structures in question.
Keywords: reservoir, tailings reservoir, dam, seismic hazard, vulnerability.
PAGES: 54-67