武汉大学 2019-2020学年 第二学期

Advanced Dam Engineering (open-book examination)

ID: 2020272060007 Name: MUHAMMAD ARSLAN Scores: ______

Topic:

Stability Analysis of Gravity Dams

Abstract:

A gravity dam is a dam constructed from concrete or stone masonry and

designed to hold back water by using only the weight of the material and its
resistance against the foundation to oppose the horizontal pressure of water
pushing against it. Gravity dams are designed so that each section of the dam
is stable and independent of any other dam section. Context is about the various
forces acting on the dam and the stability requirements that would be beneficial
for the economic and efficient construction and stability of Dams.
The analysis described in the context is based on the gravity method of analysis
also the various merits and limitations of this method is show-cased which will
bring the conclusion of the topic.The construction should be designed to
withstand the most adverse load conditions, in case of gravity dams there are
several forces acting on the structure but the only resultant force which resists
the forces is the self-weight of the mass structure, the gravitational force acting
on every part of the structure gives immense stability to withstand the
oncoming pressure.

Key Words: Concrete, stone masonry, pressure,resultant forces

 Introduction :

A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of water or underground

streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide
water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial
use, aquaculture, and navigability. Hydropower is often used in conjunction
with dams to generate electricity. A dam can also be used to collect water or
for storage of water which can be evenly distributed between locations. Dams
generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures
such as floodgates or levees (also known as dikes) are used to manage or
prevent water flow into specific land regions. The earliest known dam is
the Jawa Dam in Jordan, dating to 3,000 BC.
in a gravity dam, the force that holds the dam in place against the push from
the water is Earth's gravity pulling down on the mass of the dam.The water
presses laterally (downstream) on the dam, tending to overturn the dam by
rotating about its toe (a point at the bottom downstream side of the dam). The
dam's weight counteracts that force, tending to rotate the dam the other way
about its toe. The designer ensures that the dam is heavy enough that the dam's
weight wins that contest. In engineering terms, that is true whenever
the resultant of the forces of gravity acting on the dam and water pressure on
the dam acts in a line that passes upstream of the toe of the dam. Furthermore,
the designer tries to shape the dam so if one were to consider the part of dam
above any particular height to be a whole dam itself, that dam also would be
held in place by gravity. i.e. there is no tension in the upstream face of the dam
holding the top of the dam down. The designer does this because it is usually
more practical to make a dam of material essentially just piled up than to make
the material stick together against vertical tension.
It must be noted that the shape that prevents tension in the upstream face also
eliminates a balancing compression stress in the downstream face, providing
additional economy.
For this type of dam, it is essential to have an impervious foundation with high
bearing strength. Permeable foundations have a greater likelihood of
generating uplift pressures under the dam. Uplift pressures are hydrostatic
pressures caused by the water pressure of the reservoir pushing up against the
bottom of the dam. If large enough uplift pressures are generated there is a risk
of destabilizing the concrete gravity dam. When situated on a suitable site, a
gravity dam can prove to be a better alternative to other types of dams. When
built on a carefully studied foundation, the gravity dam probably represents the
best developed example of dam building. Since the fear of flood is a strong
motivator in many regions, gravity dams are being built in some instances
where an arch dam would have been more economical.
Gravity dams are classified as "solid" or "hollow" and are generally made of
either concrete or masonry. The solid form is the more widely used of the two,
though the hollow dam is frequently more economical to construct. For
instance,Grand Coulee Dam is a solid gravity dam and Braddock Locks &
Dam is a hollow gravity dam.

Methodology:

 The Methods of the Stability Analysis for Gravity Dams:

Selection of the method of analysis should be governed by the type and

configuration of the structure being considered. The gravity method will
generally be sufficient for the analysis of most structures; however, more
sophisticated methods may be required for structures that are curved in plan,
or structures with unusual configurations.

 Friction factor K:

Assume: the resistance is purely frictional force, and no shear strength or

cohesion can be mobilized
The plane is horizontal or inclined at a small angle α.
Self-weight W , water pressure P , uplift U , friction force F
 Sliding along horizontal dam base Sliding along inclined dam base

 Sliding Along Horizontal Dam Base:

k
Shear Resistance f
=
 W  U 
Shear P

Where: ΣW is resultant of forces normal to the assumed slip plane; ΣP is

resultant of forces parallel to the assumed slip plane; U is resultant of uplift,
kN/m; f is friction coefficient of the sliding plane.

 Sliding Along Inclined Dam Base at A Small Angle :

 f (W cos   U  P sin  )
K
P cos   W sin 

 is the angle between the slip plane and the horizontal plane

Gravity dam base is frequently excavated to give a small positive inclination

of α, so as to raise K.
When the plane is inclined to upstream, it’s favorable to the stability. On the
contrary, when the plane is inclined to downstream, it is adverse to the stability.

 Shear factor K  :

Both the cohesion and frictional components of shear strength are all
considered

f (W  U )  cA
K 
P

Where: f′ is shear frictional coefficient of the concrete/rock bond plane; c′ is

cohesion representing the unit shearing strength of concrete-rock bond plane
under zero normal stress; A is the area of concrete/rock bond plane.
 Passive Reaction Method：

First, let the wedge efg be at the state of limit equilibrium, that is, its safety
factor is equal to the allowable safety factor  K  , resistance R1 is:

f B2 (G cos   U fg )  cB 2 Afg   K  G sin 

R1 
 K  cos(   )  f B2 sin(   )
Second, exerting R1 on the wedge cdef, and let the wedge cdef be at the state
of limit equilibrium, the resistance R is:
1
R [ f  (G cos   U cf )  cB 1 Acf   K  G sin    K  R1 ] .
 K  B1
Finally, exerting R on the wedge abcd, and let it be at the state of limit
equilibrium, the safety factor of the wedge abcd is derived and looked at as the
representative stability safety factor of the whole foundation.
f B1 (W cos   U bc  P sin  )  cB 1 Abc
K 
P cos   W sin   R

 Active Reaction Method (Residual Thrust Method):

The procedure is just a retroaction to that of the passive reaction method.

First, let the wedge abcd be at the state of limit equilibrium, the resistance R is
obtained.
Second, exerting R on the wedge cdef , and let it be at the state of limit
equilibrium, and the resistance R1 is obtained.
Finally, exerting R1 on the wedge efg, K is obtained.
Equal Safety Factor Method:

f B2 [G cos   U fg  R1 sin(   )]  cB 2 Afg 

K  
R1 cos(   )  G sin  
f B1 (G cos   U cf )  cB 1 Acf 
K  
R1  G sin   R1 
f B1 (W cos   U bc  P sin  )  cB 1 Abc 
K  
P cos   W sin   R 

By solving the above simultaneous equations, K’, R and R1 can be obtained.

3. Presentation of Engineering Example

Normal load combination: water pressure (design flood level, DFL) + self weight + uplift +
silt pressure

Concrete: unit weight  c =24kN/m3

Water: unit weight  w =10kN/m3

Sediment: submerged unit weight  s' =15 kN/m3, friction angle  s =30°

The friction coefficient f  and cohesion c of the contact surface between the dam and the
foundation rock are 1.05 and 1.1MPa, respectively.

The profile of a concrete gravity dam is shown in following figure.

 The profile of a concrete gravity dam

Solution:

 Self- Weight of the Concert Gravity Dam -W:

The gravity dam concert divided in to two triangle and one rectangle for calculation
1. Triangle (smallest part)
2. Rectangle part
3. Triangle (largest part)

1
W1   C  h1  h1  where h1 upstream inclined concrete height
2
 24 KN / m3  60m  9.028m  0.5 1m

 6500.15KN 3
 24 KN / m  60m  9m  0.5 1m
 6480 KN
W2   C  h  h where H upstream height of the concert dam
  24 KN / m3 11m 136 1m

 35904kN
1
W3   C  h2  h2  where h1 dawn stream inclined concert dam height
2
1
 24 KN / m3 116.34m  93.072m 1m 
2

 129935.9578KN
Total self-weight of the concert dam =172319.98KN

 Water Load (p)

a) up stream water load (p)
b) dawn stream water load (due to tail water) (p΄)

a) upstream water load (p)

 Horizontal water load (PH)
1
PH = c  Z  Z 
2
 10kN / m 130m 130m 1m
3

 84500kN
 Vertical water load
PV   w  Z1  b1 (rectangle part) where Z1-Hihgt of the water, b base of the triangle.

 10kN / m3  70m  9m 1m

 6300kN
1
PV   w  Z 2  b1  (triangle part) where Z2-Hihgt of the water, b 1 base of the triangle
2
1
 10kN / m3  60m  9m  1m
2
 2700kN
Total water load on upstream part
PH=84500KN
PV=9000KN
 b) dawn stream water load (due to tail water)
 Horizontal water load (PH)
1
PH = w  Z 3  Z 3  Where Z3-Hihgt of the water,
2

1
 10kN / m3  18.2m  18.2m   1m
2
 1656.2kN
 Horizontal water load (PV)
1
PH = w  Z 3  b 2  where Z3-Hihgt of the water, b 2 base of the triangle
2
1
 10kN / m3 14.56m 18.2m  1m
2
 1324.96kN
Total water load on dawn stream part (tail water)
PH=1656.2KN
PV=1324.96KN
3 Sedimentation Load
 Horizontal load
1
PSH   s  Z 4  Z 4 
2
1
 15  10   40  40 1
2
 4000kN

 Vertical load
1
PSV   s  Z 4 
2
 0.5  40  5  6 1
 600kN
4) Up lift pressure load
 Grouting curtain + drainage curtain
 Reduction factor of seepage pressure on Solid gravity dam α =0.25
 U 1  18.2  10  113.1 1  20,584.2 KN
U 2  0.25 10  130  18.2   113.1  9.028   1 1/ 2  14,544.062 KN
U 3  0.25 10  130  18.2   9.028  1  2,523.33KN
U 4  1/ 2  83.9110  9.028  1  3, 787.7 KN
PU  41, 439.292 KN
2 To Calculation Using Shear Factor K  :

f    W  U   cA
K 
P
K 
1.05 183293.08kN  41439.292kN   1.1N / mm 2
 113.1 106 mm 2 
86843.80kN
148946.477kN  124410kN
K 
86843.80kN
K   3.14768

Results and Discussions:

The result of the performed calculations signifies that the dam will be safe
against all forces as the factor of safety for different failure modes were in their
limiting range depending on its site conditions.
Conclusions:
This project report is intended primarily to serve various aspects of analyzing
of forces and checking the stability of gravity dams along with the calculation
of factor of safety was the main aim of this context. For that purpose, study of
various forces and stability criteria were performed with all the factors
affecting the stability requirements along with different site conditions were
taken into consideration. The context also includes the various preliminary
considerations which are necessary to focus before undertaking some
theoreticaly.

THE END