Welcome Address

Veylon Dear members of EWG Dams and Earthquakes,
Dear colleagues,

As Chairman of the European Working Group, I am pleased to invite you to the 7th EWG meeting, which this time takes the form of an international symposium. The three previous symposia, held in Saint-Malo (France), Rome (Italy) and Lisbon (Portugal), were great successes on the scientific, technical and human aspects. They brought the research and engineering communities closer together, and contributed to a better understanding of seismic risk and the emergence of safer seismic design methods and practices. While the work of the EWG has been able to continue in a remote form, this symposium will be the first post-COVID event to bring us together in the true sense of the word.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Greek Committee on Large Dams for agreeing to organize this symposium in this magnificent city of Athens. I would also like to highlight the work of the Scientific Committee, which has developed the symposium program around the following themes:

Earthquake hazard parameters (e.g., ground motion, surface fault movements) for dam safety evaluation
Measurement of seismic and post-seismic response of concrete and embankment/tailings dams
Experimental behavior and modeling of dam materials under cyclic loading
Seismic performance of concrete dams and their impacted area. Case histories, analysis & validation, design
Seismic performance of embankment/tailings dams and their impacted area. Case histories, analysis & validation, design
Earthquake safety evaluation of safety-critical dam elements (e.g. spillways, low-level outlets)

More than ever, hydraulic structures are critical infrastructures for our societies. It is our duty to do our utmost to ensure the safety of our fellow citizens in the face of the threat of natural hazards. This symposium gives us a unique opportunity to bring our community together to share our experience and practices in the field of earthquake engineering applied to dams. I am convinced that this symposium will provide all those present with the opportunity for fruitful scientific and technical discussions that will contribute to the advancement of European dam engineering.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Athens in September 2024.

Please accept my warmest and most sincere greetings.

Guillaume Veylon


Dear colleagues,

Dakoulas On behalf of the Greek Committee on Large Dams, it is our utmost pleasure to extend a warm invitation to you for the forthcoming International Symposium on Dams and Earthquakes, to be held in Athens, from September 12th to 13th, 2024. The symposium stands as a significant opportunity to convene a diverse array of international experts in dam design and earthquake engineering. Our aim is to foster a dynamic exchange of innovative ideas, experiences, and research findings, all geared towards advancing the seismic safety of dams worldwide.

Located in the heart of Greece, Athens prides on its rich history and culture spanning over 5000 years. From its iconic archaeological sites to its world-renowned museums and vibrant art galleries, Athens offers an unparalleled blend of ancient grandeur and contemporary charm. We are confident that your time here will be enriched by exploring its myriad attractions alongside friends and colleagues.

We trust that the International Symposium will prove to be an intellectually stimulating and rewarding experience, complemented by the enriching backdrop of Athens' cultural tapestry.

We eagerly anticipate your participation and look forward to extending our heartfelt welcome to you in Athens.

Warm regards,
Panos Dakoulas, GCOLD