| In Quebec, the concrete dams over fifty years are systematically studied since the Saguenay earthquake (1988,6.2 on the Richter scale) because they were not sized for such hazards. For calculation of the reliability codes for Hydro-Quebec structures, different parameters on the morphology of structure and the physical and mechanical parameters are needed. Among these, the shear strength of interfaces (concrete-concrete, concrete-rock rock-rock) is particularly important because it determines the safety factor in large part. Moreover, it is commonly accepted that the roughness of the surfaces of rock discontinuities determines the mechanical behavior in shear. This study is divided into two parts: a study of taking samples from two dams of Hydro-Quebec and the conception of an artificial rock-concrete contact.;Artificial rock-concrete contact has been studied in its entirety by various statistical and geostatistical methods in order to describe as precisely as possible its surface roughness. Once the last known, a map of coring with a 150 mm diameter core sampler has been decided. The collected areas are those with features of roughness, for example, a high angularity. Once the coring performed, samples were tested for shear resistance under a constant normal load It follows a study of mechanical and roughness parameter and an underline of scale effect.;KEYWORDS: Dams, Interfaces, Discontinuities, Statistics, Image Analysis, Geostatistics, Laser Profilometer;Firstly, from shear tests realized under constant normal load, achieved on contacts from two dams, the principal component study of mechanical and roughness parameters was conducted to determine the parameters dominate (Z 2, Z4, Extent). In addition, a field classification of discontinuities is proposed. The latter depends on various parameters such as the angularity of the surface, filling or oxidation of the surfaces of the discontinuity. |
