Neotectonic related geological risk at dams in the Mexico Basin: Guadalupe dam

Abstract

Three available tectonic models for the Mexico Basin were analyzed. Based on these models a new tectonic model was developed. Engineering structures were identified that could suffer the effects of seismic activity. Guadalupe Dam case is an example of risk from geological structures defined in the tectonicl models. History records three stages of repairs of damage due to settlement and cracks that occurred in the dam wall. These settlements and cracks are associated with neotectonic activity of a nearby normal or strike-slip fault. Regional geotectonics is a cause of settlements and cracks, instability and landslides on roads, as well as high permeability zones beneath reservoirs, causing important damage.