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Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

A gravity dam is a dam constructed from concrete or masonry and designed to

hold back water by primarily utilizing the weight of the material alone resisting the

horizontal pressure of water pushing against it. A solid concrete structure that maintain

its stability against design loads from the geometric shape, mass and strength of the

concrete (Dyson, 2002).

The purposes of dam construction may include navigation, flood damage

reduction, hydroelectric power generation, fish and wildlife enhancement, water

quality, water supply, and recreation. The design and evaluation of concrete gravity

dam for earthquake loading must be based on appropriate criteria that reflect both the

desired level of safety and the choice of the design and evaluation procedures. (Ahearn

et al., 2005).

Basically, a gravity concrete dam is defined as a structure, which is designed in

such a way that its own weight resist the external forces. It is primarily the weight of a

gravity dam which prevents it from being overturned when subjected to the thrust of

impounded water. This type of structure is durable, and requires very little

maintenance. Gravity dams typically consist of a non- overflow section(s) and an

overflow section or spillway. The two general concrete construction methods for

concrete gravity dams are conventional placed mass concrete and RCC. Gravity dams,

constructed in stone masonry, were built even in ancient times, most often in Egypt,

Greece, and the Roman Empire.( Willis and Griggs, 2003).

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Safety evaluation of an existing concrete or masonry dam consists of a) a

thorough review of records pertaining to the structural and hydraulic design, site

geology, construction procedures, structural behavior based on instrumentation, and

operation and maintenance, then b) an onsite inspection of the dam, followed by c)

appropriate analysis of any unresolved issues. This discussion addresses the onsite

inspection of concrete and masonry dams and presents information with regard to the

recognition of potential dam safety concerns. (Clarkson and Childs, 2000).

Visual examination is an essential tool by which the engineer, technician, owner

or other responsible party can ascertain, first hand, indications of excessive stresses,

strains, seepage, materials deterioration, and signs of foundation or structural

instability. However, the presence of any of the deficiencies discussed does not

necessarily indicate that there is a dam safety problem term effects, and how these

might endanger the dam. Remember, an examination is not usually made under

maximum loading conditions, thus an examiner must visualize how these more severe

conditions could aggravate any concerns that are observed. The presence of any

deficiency should be documented, and if there is any doubt about the effect of condition

on the dam, further investigation should be recommended. (World Commission on

Dams (WCD), 2000).

The acceptance of structure is only one among the many problems to be

considered in construction of concrete dam, there are times that people near the

structure will not attain the degree of acceptability of structures (Williams and Wolman,

2004).

The purpose of this study is to determine the degree of acceptability of the

concrete gravity dam in Culaba, and to determine the present condition of the concrete
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dam. The result of this study will help the Local Government Unit Culaba Engineering

Staff for the development plan of the existing concrete gravity dam. Hence, the study

is found necessary.

Objectives of the Study

The main thrust of the study is to determine the status and acceptability of

concrete gravity dam in Culaba, Biliran.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following objectives:

1. To determine the profile of the concrete gravity dam in terms of:

1.1. structural design in terms of;

1.1.1. length;

1.1.2 span;

1.1.3. horizontal and vertical spacing of re-bars; and

1.1.4.diameter of re-bars in footing.

1.2. water capacity in terms of cubic meter;

1.3. number of years in operation;

1.4 present physical condition;

1.5. source of funding;

1.6. contractor; and

1.7. maintenance system of concerned Agency

2. To ascertain the degree of acceptability of the respondents to the concrete

gravity dam;

3. To determine the problems met by the respondents to the concrete gravity

dam during;

3.1. ordinary days; and

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3.2. rainy days

4. To solicit suggestion from LGU-Culaba for the improvement of the existing

concrete gravity dam.

5. To come up with the development plan for the improvement of the concrete

gravity dam.

Framework of the Study

This study takes hold the following conceptual framework as its main and solid

foundation in the due course of its proceedings.

Conceptual framework. The conceptual model of this study addresses to the

interpretation of data in terms of the profile of concrete gravity dam, degree of

acceptability of the concrete gravity dam, problems met by the respondents during

ordinary days and rainy days and solicitation of suggestion from LGU-Culaba

Engineering Staff for the improvement of concrete gravity dam.

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Profile of the Concrete Gravity Dam in

Culaba, Biliran in terms of;
1. Structural Design;
2. Water capacity in terms of cubic Degree of Acceptability of the
meter; Concrete Gravity Dam in
3. Number of years in operation; Culaba, Biliran
4 Present physical condition;
5. Source of funding;
6. Contractor; and
7. Maintenance system of concerned
Agency

Problems met by the

residents in times of;
1. Ordinary Days; and
2. Rainy Days

Suggestions from LGU-

Culaba for the improvement
of the
Concrete Gravity Dam

Improved
Concrete Gravity Dam in Culaba
(Development Plan)

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework of the Study

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Importance of the study

This study is important to the administrators, to municipal planners, to

educators, to Culabanhon, and to the future researchers.

Administrators and LGU-Engineering. This study will serve as an insight or

baseline in planning programs and projects that will improve the existence of concrete

gravity dam, providing ideal concepts to make innovation/program effective in dealing

with construction of the concrete gravity dam.

Municipal planners. The result of this research will provide them insights in the

status and acceptability of the concrete gravity dam. Appropriate actions to eradicate

incidents and making the people feel the safeness of the existing dam.

To the educators. The study will greatly help educators in informing their

students as to the real status of the concrete gravity dam. This will also increase the

students concern on construction of dams.

To the Culabanhon. This study will greatly help the people to be aware and

knowledgeable in the status and acceptability of the concrete gravity dam.

To the future researchers. The study may inspire future researchers to pursue

similar studies

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study was conducted to determine the status and acceptability of concrete

gravity dam in Culaba. Essential data were determined by the researchers to the

selected respondents to the acceptability of the structure.

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Definition of terms

To be able to comprehend thoroughly on the terms utilized in this study the

following are define operationally and conceptually:

Acceptability. The ability to accept the existence of the concrete gravity dam.

Concrete Gravity Dam. Solid concrete structures that maintain their stability

against design loads from the geometric shape, mass and strength of the concrete.

Contractor. People or company who is responsible in constructing such

structures.

Degree of acceptability. The extent of respondents acceptance on status and

effectiveness on Concrete Gravity Dam.

LGU-Engineering Office. Agencies concern with project construction,

implementation and its maintenance.

Maintenance System. Keeping the good condition of the concrete gravity dam.

Physical condition. The status of the concrete gravity dam in its physical

appearance and efficiency.

Water capacity. The amount of water that passes through the concrete dam.

Review of Related Literature

This part shows the highlights to the review of the related articles, studies, and

relevant research.

The problem of public acceptance (PA) has become serious since the 1960's in

Japan. On the other hand, research on civil engineering has been systemized and

grown fast in Japan since the Second World War. So it is important to study the mutual

relationship and influences between research on civil engineering and public

acceptance (Willis and Griggs, 2003).

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The terms gravity dam and concrete dam conjure images of large structures,

such as the Hoover and Grand Coulee dams. According to the National Inventory of

Dams, 90 percent of gravity dams categorized as high or significant hazard structures

are less than 100 feet tall. Design features common to large gravity dams often are not

incorporated into these smaller structures. For example, many smaller dams do not

include foundation drainage systems. In addition, large dams in steep canyons typically

are keyed into bedrock at the abutments, while for smaller structures the non-overflow

sections may only extend a limited distance beyond the original ground surface and

many times are not abutted into sound rock (Clarkson and Childs, 2000).

Safety of dams can be evaluated based on the risk analysis methodologies that

accounts for estimation of the risks associated to the dam-reservoir system. For this

purpose it is important to estimate the probability of load events and probability of

failure for several failure modes (Dyson, 2002).

Upgrading and re-evaluation of the existing dams has become important in

order to meet the security requirements in todays world. This has led to various

research studies in the field of risk analysis. Risk analysis is an important part of a

structures performance, durability and serviceability (Gleick, 2004).

Stability analysis plays an important role in order to analyze the safety of a

structure. Failure of a dam can be categorized into three different failure modes; sliding,

overturning, and crushing failure of the foundation or concrete. Sliding along the base

of the dam is probably considered the most prevailing mode of failure for gravity dams

(McCully, 2011).For this failure mode, the interface between the rock foundation and

the base of the concrete retaining structures is considered as a weakened surface

along which sliding takes place (Cannon, 2003).

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In Bangladesh, the entire country is divided into 3 seismic zones, depending

upon the severity of the earthquake intensity. The results of the horizontal earthquake

intensity perturbation suggest that the stabilizing moments are found to decrease

significantly with the increment of horizontal earthquake intensity while dealing with the

U.S.B.R. recommended initial dam section, indicating endanger to the dam stability,

thus larger dam section is provided to increase the stabilizing moments and to make it

safe against failure (World Wildlife Fund (WWF), 2004).