For earth structures, it is recognized that the use of nominal material parameters and design assumption alone is often inadequate. Coupled with these should be site verification of design assumptions and materials parameters, evaluation of the interrelationship between construction methods and analytical treatment, and verification testing (to assure compliance with project specifications based on the design and monitoring of the earth structures--both during and subsequent to construction). Because of the need for continuity from design and analysis through actual construction, a section which deals with inspection, instrumentation and monitoring is included in this standard, although the standard itself is primarily concerned with design and analysis. The essential elements of this standard are: (1) Earth structures used to form the ultimate heat sink (reservoirs) including dams, dikes, and baffles; (2) earth structures normally used to protect the nuclear plant site from extreme hydrodynamic loads including dams, dikes, breakwaters, seawalls, and revetments; and (3) earth structures used to maintain site contours, the stability of natural and cut slopes, fills and retaining walls.