DAMS

Hydrostatic Forces on Surfaces

DAMS are structures that block the flow of a river, stream or other waterway. Many dams harness the
energy of falling water to generate electric power. Since water level is raised on the upstream side, the
dam is subject to hydrostatic forces.

PURPOSE OF A DAM

1. Irrigation and drinking water

2. Power supply and drinking water
3. Navigation
4. Flood Control
5. Multi purposes

TYPES OF DAMS

1. Gravity Dams use only the force of gravity to resist water pressure-that is, they hold back the
water by the sheer force of their weight pushing downward. This requires stiff rock foundations
of high bearing strength.

Willow Creek Dam in Oregon

2. Embankment Dam is a gravity dam formed out of loose rock, earth or a combination of these
materials. The upstream and downstream slopes of embankment dams are flatter than those of
concrete gravity dams.
3. Arch Dams are concrete or masonry structures that curve upstream into a reservoir, stretching
from one wall of a river canyon to the other. This require a relatively narrow river canyon with
solid rock walls capable of withstanding a significant amount of horizontal thrust.

4. Buttress Dam consists of wall, or face, supported by several buttresses on the downstream side.
The vast majority of buttress dams are made of concrete that is reinforced with steel.
 ANALYSIS OF GRAVITY DAM

STEPS OF SOLUTION

I. Consider 1 unit (1m) length of dam (perpendicular to the sketch)

II. Determine all the forces acting :
A. Vertical Forces
1. Weight of the dam : 𝑊𝑛 = 𝛾𝑐 𝑉𝑛
2. Weight of the water in the upstream side (if any) : 𝑊4 = 𝛾𝑤 𝑉4
3. Weight or permanent structures on the dam
4. Hydrostatic Uplift : 𝑈𝑛 = 𝛾𝑐 𝑉𝑛
B. Horizontal Forces
1. Total Hydrostatic Force acting at the vertical projection of the submerged portion of
the dam : 𝐹 = 𝛾ħ𝐴
2. Wind Pressure
3. Wave Action
4. Floating Bodies
5. Earthquake Load
III. Solve for the Reaction
1. Vertical Reaction, 𝑅𝑦 = ∑ 𝐹𝑦; , 𝑅𝑦 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2 + 𝑊3 + 𝑊4 − 𝑈1 − 𝑈2
2. Horizontal Reaction, , 𝑅𝑥 = ∑ 𝐹ℎ; 𝑅𝑥 = 𝐹
 IV. Moment about the Toe
1. Righting Moment, RM (rotation towards the upstream side)
RM = 𝑊1 𝑥1 + 𝑊2 𝑥2 + 𝑊3 𝑥3 + 𝑊4 𝑥4
2. Overturning Moment, OM (rotation towards the downstream side)
OM = 𝐹𝑦 + 𝑈1 𝑧1 + 𝑈2 𝑧2
V. Location of 𝑅𝑦 (x̄)
𝑅𝑀 − 𝑂𝑀
x̄ =
𝑅𝑦

where :

𝛾𝑐 = 23.5 kN/𝑚3
𝛾𝑤 = 9.81 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3 or 1000 kg/𝑚3
FACTOR OF SAFETY

1. Factor of Safety against sliding, 𝐹𝑆𝑠

μ𝑅𝑦
𝐹𝑆𝑠 = >1
𝑅𝑥
2. Factor of Safety against overturning, 𝐹𝑆𝑜
RM
𝐹𝑆𝑜 = >1
𝑂𝑀
where : μ = coefficient of friction between the base of the dam and the foundation

FOUNDATION PRESSURE

1. For e ≤ B/6
𝑅𝑦 6𝑒
𝑞= − (1 ± )
𝐵 𝐵
2. For e > B/6
2𝑅𝑦
𝑞=
3x̄

SAMPLE PROBLEM :

1. A dam is a triangular in a cross-section with the upstream face vertical. Water is flushed with the top
The dam is 8m high and 6m wide at the base and weighs 2.4 tons per cubic meter. The coefficient of
friction is between the base and the foundation is 0.8. Determine (a) the maximum and minimum
unit pressure on the foundation, and the (b) factors of safety against overturning, and against sliding.
2. A gravity dam of trapezoidal cross-section with one face vertical and horizontal base is 22 m high and
has a thickness of 4 m at the top. Water upstream stands 2 m below the crest of the dam. The
specific gravity of masonry is 2.4m
A. Neglecting hydrostatic uplift.
a. Find the base width B of the dam so that the resultant force will cut the extreme edge of the
middle third near the toe.
b. Compute the factors of safety against sliding and overturning. Use μ = 0.5
B. Considering the uplift pressure to vary uniformly from full hydrostatic pressure at the heel to
zero at the toe.
 a. Find the base width B of the dam so that the resultant force will act at the extremity of the
middle third near the toe.
b. Compute the maximum and minimum compressive stresses acting against the base of the
dam.
3. A trapezoidal dam has a width of 2 m at the top and 4 m at the bottom and a height of 8m. The
depth of water at the upstream side is 6 m. Neglect hydrostatic uplift and use unit weight of concrete
equal to 23.5 kN/𝑚3 . Coefficient of friction between the base of the dam and the foundation is
0.6. Determine the following : (a) factor of safety against sliding, (b) the factor of safety against
overturning, and (c) the overturning moment acting against the dam in kN-m
4. The section of the masonry dam is as shown. The specific weight of the water is 9.81 kN/𝑚3 and
that of concrete is 23.54 kN/𝑚3 . Assuming uplift pressure varies linearly from maximum
hydrostatic pressure at the heel to zero at the location of the drain, determine the (a) location
of the resultant force, (b) factor of safety against sliding if coefficient of friction is 0.75, (c) factor
of safety against overturning, (d) the stress at the heel and at the toe, and (e) the unit horizontal
shearing stress at the base.
5. A masonry dam of trapezoidal cross section, with one face vertical, has a thickness of 2 ft. at the
top and 10 ft. at the bottom. It is 22 ft. high and has a horizontal base. The vertical face is
subjected to water pressure, the water standing 15 ft. above the base. The weight of the
masonry is 150 lb. per cu. ft. Where will the resultant pressure intersect the base, and what will
be the intensity of pressure at the heel and at the toe assuming : (a) that there is no hydrostatic
uplift; (b) that there is hydrostatic uplift which varies uniformly from that due to a full head of
15 ft. at the heel to zero at the toe.