Keynotes 

Moura Castle, Portugal

a. Short CV :

Emmanuel Robbe is a dam expert at EDF, specialized in the behavior and monitoring of dams. For almost 20 years, he was in charge of safety assessment of concrete dams in operation, under static or seismic loads and involved in R&D activities about seismic and non-linear behavior of concrete dams. Emmanuel is now working within the group responsible for monitoring more than 350 dams at EDF, bringing his expertise in dam behavior to the analysis of monitoring data and the development of digital twins for dam surveillance.

b. Title of the keynote

Concrete Dams and Earthquakes: Numerical Analysis Techniques and Pratical Advices for Engineers

c. Keynote short description

This keynote will address the critical aspects of numerical analyses of concrete dams under earthquake conditions, providing practical insights for engineers. It will begin with an overview of the state-of-the-art methods for finite element analyses, highlighting the latest advancements and reference test cases for software validation. The presentation then will explore the significance of seismic records from Japanese dams and the benefits of compiling global earthquake data to enhance finite-element analyses.

Further, the keynote will discuss the calibration of numerical models using ambient vibration monitoring to accurately evaluate natural frequencies. It also delves into the appropriate damping values for analyses, emphasizing the need for ongoing research in this area. Practical methods for the seismic analysis of gravity dams will be presented, ranging from simplified to advanced techniques, along with insights from the analysis of arch dams under moderate earthquakes.

Finally, the challenges of obtaining reliable results with non-linear analyses will be examined, offering practical methods for comparing these results with linear analyses and essential verification steps. This comprehensive overview aims to equip engineers with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective seismic analysis and dam safety assessment.

2. ANTÓNIO BATISTA, LNEC, Portugal

a. Short CV

António Lopes Batista is a civil engineer, PhD, principal researcher and head of the Concrete Dams Department of LNEC (Portugal). He developed his professional activity in LNEC since 1986, in the following fields related with concrete and masonry dams: i) analysis and interpretation of the observed behavior, using mathematical modelling; ii) instrumentation, monitoring and inspection; and iii) deterioration and rehabilitation, particularly the concrete dams affected by swelling reactions. He is responsible for the team that monitors the behavior of around 70 large Portuguese concrete and masonry dams. He was also involved in studies of large dams abroad, namely in Mozambique, Angola, Brazil and Peru. He was the chairman of the 16th International Conference on Alkali-Aggregate Reaction in Concrete (ICAAR-2020-2022).

b. Title of the keynote 

Deterioration of dams affected by concrete swelling reactions. The role of observation and modelling in supporting safety control and rehabilitation

c. Keynote short description

The most common chemical reactions of internal origin in concrete that cause expansion can be grouped into two main types: alkali-silica reactions (ASR) and internal sulphatic reactions (ISR). Both reactions require water to develop, making concrete dams particularly vulnerable structures.

The structural effects of these swelling reactions are difficult to manage, as there are no fully effective methods to either mitigate the development of the reactions themselves or to repair the deteriorated structures. Over the past few decades, engineering has developed a set of measures that, when applied judiciously, allow for limiting, in many cases, the adverse effects of these reactions. In the case of severely damaged structures, a range of rehabilitation techniques can be employed to restore structural performance and extend the useful lifespan of dams.

In dams equipped with well-designed monitoring systems, the proper handling of observation elements, such as monitoring data, and inspection and specific tests results, helps quantify the structural effects of these reactions. Adequate modeling of the expansion development and its structural consequences makes it possible to assess the safety of the structures, predict their future behavior, and guide the study of the best intervention solutions when needed.

The keynote lecture will discuss the role of observation and modeling in supporting studies and decisions to manage the functionality, safety, and durability of affected dams. Several examples of dams with this pathology, from both Portugal and around the world, will be presented to illustrate the topic.

3.  RODRIGO OLIVEIRA, Technical University of Lisbon, Portugal

a. Short CV

Rodrigo Proença de Oliveira is an Associate Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources at Instituto Superior Técnico (Universidade de Lisboa) and a researcher at CERIS – Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability. He holds a Civil Engineering degree from Instituto Superior Técnico and earned his MSc and PhD in Water Resources Planning and Management from Cornell University, USA. His career spans academia, research and extensive private consulting, with projects across Africa, South America, and Europe. He has held roles at Portugal's National Laboratory for Civil Engineering and the Directorate-General for Natural Resources. He is an active member of the Portuguese Scientific Committee for the National Adaptation Strategy and serves as the Secretary General of the Tagus River Basin Council. Additionally, he served on the board of the Portuguese Association of Water Resources, including two years as its President.

b. Title of the keynote 

Water Scarcity, Climate Change Adaptation, and the Role of Dams and Reservoirs

c. Keynote short description

Water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, population growth, and economic development, remains a critical global challenge. Reservoirs have traditionally played a pivotal role in addressing this issue, particularly in Mediterranean climates where irrigation is vital for agriculture. These regions often endure extended dry seasons, making dependable water storage essential for maintaining crop production. In response to climate change, farmers are increasingly shifting toward irrigated permanent crops, which are generally more valuable but reduce water management flexibility. This shift places additional pressure to construct new dams, as irrigated farming is a cornerstone of local and regional economies, particularly in sparsely populated areas where agriculture dominates economic activity.

Despite their benefits, reservoirs and dams come with notable environmental and economic costs. Their construction can disrupt ecosystems, lead to biodiversity loss, and displace communities, while requiring substantial financial investments and ongoing maintenance. These factors highlight the need for rigorous cost-benefit analyses when considering new reservoir projects, ensuring that their advantages outweigh their negative impacts and that alternative solutions are also evaluated.

Beyond reservoirs, additional strategies can address water scarcity effectively. Demand control measures, such as water pricing and conservation initiatives, promote efficiency in water use. Desalination technology provides a vital alternative for arid and coastal areas, though it remains energy-intensive and should be used judiciously. Water reuse and recycling systems, which treat wastewater for agricultural, industrial, or even potable purposes, further diversify water supply options.

Improving water efficiency is crucial across all sectors. In agriculture, adopting advanced irrigation techniques like drip or sprinkler systems can significantly reduce water consumption while maintaining productivity. Such measures are particularly vital in sparsely populated agricultural regions, where efficient water use directly impacts the livelihoods of local communities and regional economic stability.

By integrating reservoirs with alternative solutions and prioritizing water efficiency, decision-makers can create a more resilient and sustainable approach to water management. This holistic strategy not only addresses current water scarcity challenges but also supports the economic and ecological needs of future generations.

4.       CRISTINA JOMMI, Delft University of Technology, Politecnico di Milano

AVAILABLE SOON

a. Short CV

b. Title of the keynote 

c. Keynote short description

5.       WALDEMAR ŚWIDZIŃSKI , Institute of Hydro-Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdańsk, Poland

a. Short CV

Prof. Waldemar Świdziński: Permanent professor at the Institute of Hydro-Engineering, over the years Head of the Department of Geomechanics. From 2016 – 2024 - Director of the Institute. Author and co-author of over 130 publications and 3 books focused on experimental geomechanics, identification and theoretical description of liquefaction of saturated and unsaturated soils, various problems of large tailings storage facilities. A member of the International Board of Experts for Żelazny Most TSF, KGHM, Poland and a member of TSF-Committee in Sierra Gorda Mine, Chile.

b. Title of Keynote:

Geomechanical Behaviour of Tailings Storage Facilities

c. Short description

Currently, there are over 3,500 active Tailings Storage Facilities (TSFs) worldwide. Since 1915, 257 TSF failures have occurred, releasing approximately 250 million cubic meters of tailings, destroying areas covering up to 5,000 km², causing an estimated 2,650 fatalities, and impacting around 317,000 people1. Despite ongoing efforts, the number of TSF failures has increased since 2000. In recent years, several catastrophic TSF failures, including the Brumadinho disaster in Brazil and the Mount Polley disaster in Canada, have raised serious concerns about the safety and environmental risks associated with these sites. One of the main contributing factors to these failures is the inadequate recognition and understanding of the geomechanical behavior of the tailings deposited in these facilities.

In this keynote lecture, we will discuss the specific geomechanical characteristics of tailings, drawing on 40 years of experience advising on the operation and development of the Żelazny Most TSF in Poland. This facility is one of the largest of its kind in the world and is operated by KGHM Polska Miedź S.A.

The focus will be on the reliable assessment of the mechanical behavior of the tailings deposited in the facility, with particular attention to the impact of fine content and its associated challenges, such as susceptibility to liquefaction—one of the main causes of TSF failures. A robust assessment of the mechanical properties of tailings, particularly its potential for liquefaction, is closely linked to all stages of material testing. This includes the collection of undisturbed samples, their transportation, laboratory testing under various stress conditions, and the final interpretation of the results. The role of the gel-push sampler in collecting truly undisturbed samples, which are especially important for low-cohesion soils like tailings, will also be emphasized. The response of fully saturated and partially saturated tailings to monotonic and cyclic loading will be explored as well.

Next, we will explore proper stability assessment techniques, addressing various failure mechanisms along potential slip surfaces to reliably assess the stability of external dams and internal embankments. The cases of diverse soil responses, including triaxial compression, extension, and simple shearing, depending on the position along the failure mechanism running through tailings mass and foundation soils, will be considered. The stability assessment process will incorporate static, pseudo-static, pseudo-dynamic, and full dynamic approaches, all based on 2D and 3D numerical simulations.

Special attention will also be given to the role of monitoring systems throughout the life of the facility, ensuring the safe operation and continuous development of TSFs. Finally, the necessity of supporting the analysis of monitored parameters with GIS-driven professional database systems will be discussed.

1 Hudson-Edwards, K.A. et al., “Tailings storage facilities, failures and disaster risk”, Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 5, 612-530, 2024.