CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

1. ELEMENTS OF DAM ENGINEERING

1.1. Introduction

Dams are structures controlling the flow of a river by completely blocking the valley of a given river
or drainage system. Through the blockage, storage is formed, which can be utilized for various water
resources development or water control purposes. Thus, retained body of water is RESERVOIR, the
retaining structure whether earth/rock/concrete is the dam.

The preliminary purpose of a dam may be defined as to provide for the safe retention and storage of
water. The specific main functions /advantages of dams and reservoirs are:
 Temporal and quantitative balancing between available water and demand.
 Water storage for days, weeks, months, years, and over years for power generation and
sediment control
 Water supply (municipal, industrial or community water supply, irrigation purposes)
 Flood control
 Regulation/balancing of river flow (such as navigation, low flow augmentation)
 Recreation
 Multipurpose

The presence of a dam with its storage reservoir interferes with the natural system. Associated to this,
the main disadvantages include:
 Distraction of fauna and flora in the dam valley
 Interference in the landscape through dams and reservoirs
 Change of ground water level
 Strong influence on sediment balance
 Change in water temperature
 Influence on fish

1.2. Dam structures and Reservoir

Structure related to dams include: the dam structure, reservoir, diversion structure, appurtenant
structures such as spillways, bottom outlets, intakes and gates as well as service roads and bridges.
The schematic diagrams of the components are shown below.

2. Dam
3. Service Intake
4. Bottom outlet
5. Spill structure
6. Diversion structure
7. Service road

1. Reservoir

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

1.3. Storage Components

The reservoir volume is sub divided in to the following parts, when seen in its vertical section.

1.4. Reservoirs

Functions of reservoirs in Hydraulic Engineering

 Balancing water demand and supply
 Storage of water for further usage
 Provision of storage: flood storage, sedimentation storage, for industrial sewerage,
nature protection
Classification of storage based on use:
 Use and drinking water storage
 Storage for irrigation
 Storage for hydropower
 Storage for low flow augmentation
 Storage for cooling water
 Flood storage
 Artificial lakes, e.g. for recreation, fish protection, nature protection
 Single or multiple purpose reservoirs

Classification based on storage or balancing period:

 Day, week, month, year storage
Classification based on art of storage:
 Surface storage
 Subsurface storage (Caverns, Ground water)

Reservoir parameters
The most important reservoir parameters are reservoir volume (storage) – S (m3), the reservoir area – A
(m2) which can be related to the elevation or water level in the reservoirs. These parameters can be
computed with the help of topographic maps or surveying. The reservoir surface area can be computed
using planimetery related to a given contour height.

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

Based on the derived elevation-area curve and depth, elevation-volume can be computed using various
methods:
I. Average area or trapezoidal method
Ai  Ai 1
Si  hi
2
II. Simpson’s 1/3 rule method
Ai  4 Am  Ai 1
Si  hi Where Am= mean area between Ai & Ai+1
6

III. Simpson’s 3/8 rule method IV. Cone Formula

h  3 9 9 3  h
Si  i  A1  A2  A3  A4  Si  i [ Ai  Ai 1  ( Ai Ai 1 ) ]
3 8 8 8 8  3
Where h: depth magnitude between interpolation points Hence, Total Volume
A1, A2, A3 and A4: are planar areas at interpolation points. n
VT   S i
i 1

Example: Calculate the capacity of the reservoir b/n the elevations 200 to 300m, using
Trapezoidal and Cone formula method.

Elevation(m) 200 220 240 260 280 300

2 150 175 210 270 320 400

Area (km )

1.5. Classification of Dams

Dams are numerous types and there are various ways of classifications.
Classification Based on Purpose
a) Storage Dams

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

i) Flood control
ii) Water supply: domestic, municipal, industrial, irrigation
iii) Hydroelectric power
iv) Recreation storage
v) Pollution control
b) Stage control Dams
i) Diversion
ii) Navigation
iii) Check
c) Barrier Dams
i) Levees and dykes
ii) Coffer dams
d) Multipurpose Dams

Classification based on Hydraulic design

a) Overflow dams
b) Non overflow dams
c) Composite dams

Classification According to Material of construction

a) Embankment Dams
b) Concrete Dams

a) Embankment Dams
They are constructed of earth fill/earth fill. Upstream and upstream faces are similar and moderate
angles, giving a wide section and a high construction volume relative to height.
b) Concrete Dams
They are constructed of mass concrete. Face slopes are dissimilar, general steep downstream and near
vertical upstream slopes, and dams have relatively slender profile dependent on the type.
Other type such as timber, steel, etc dams in some cases may be constructed.

Dam

Concrete Embankment

Gravity Arch Massive Rockfill Earth fill

buttress

Arch-Gravity Combination

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

Classification of dams based on material of construction

1.6. Types of Embankment Dams and their General characteristics

Embankment Dams are dam constructed of natural materials excavated or obtained near the dam site.
They are of relatively (compared with concrete dams) soft and elastic structures. Loads are transmitted
in to the dam body. The foundation requirement is lower compared to gravity dams. Most of the dams of
today (more than 60%) are embankment dams.

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

Embankment dams constitute the following advantages

 Suitability to wide valley & steep gorges alike
 Adaptability to wide range of foundation conditions
 Use of natural materials, minimizing cost of transportation of processed materials
 Insensitive (can accommodate) to settlement
 Insensitive (can withstand)to earth quake
 Simple construction, effectively continuous construction & high mechanized process
 Unit cost of embankment risen much more slowly in real terms than mass concrete
 Increasing dam height is simple
 Can be well integrated to the landscape

Disadvantages:
 Sensitive to wave action
 Higher free board is needed (3-4m)
 Overtopping is not allowed (intake structures and spillways should be constructed
separate from the dam structure & adequate spillway size should be ensured )
 Erosion danger on the down stream sides unless bermes are provided
 Construction material and construction progress are affected by weather
 Huge mass volume (large transportation, settlement)

1.6.1. Earth fill embankment dams

This indicates type of dam constituting more than 50% compacted earth fill. An earth fill dam is
constructed primarily of engineering soils compacted uniformly and intensively in relatively thin
layers and at controlled moisture contents (see Figure 2.5 for principal variants). They are
designed to resist loads by gravity and by mechanisms of embankment stability. They are strictly
non overflow types.

1.6.2. Rock fill embankment dams

This indicates type of dam constituting more than 50% compacted rock fill. The section includes
a discrete impervious element of compacted earth fill or a slender concrete or bituminous
membrane. Rock fill embankments employing a thin upstream membrane of asphalt concrete,
reinforced concrete or other non natural material are referred to as ‘ decked rock fill dams’

1.7.Characteristics of Concrete Dams

Concrete dams are hard, none yielding and rigid structures. Loads are transmitted through the
dam body and to the foundation. It requires strong and more or less uniform rock foundation.

Many early dams were constructed as rubble masonry or random masonry. From about 1900,
mass concrete, initially without formed transverse contraction joints, began to displace masonry
for the construction of large non embankment dams. From about 1950 mass concrete
increasingly incorporated bulk material additives such as slags or pulverized fuel ash (PFA), in
order to reduce thermal problems and to contain escalating costs.

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

Concrete dams constitute the following advantages:

 Good for narrow valleys. Except arc or cupola, also suitable for wide valleys.
 Smaller construction fill volume (compared to embankments)
 Construction can takes place irrespective of weather condition
 Smaller free board (1-1.5m)
 Can be constructed as overflow dam, i.e. can accommodate spillway, hence cost for
separate spillway reduced.
 Outlet pipe work, valves and other ancillary works can be provided within the body of the
dam

Disadvantages:

 Sensitive to settlement, demanding sound rock foundation

 Sensitive by earth quake
 Depending on the dam type, it’s construction is demanding (technical personnel, machine
requirement, form work)
 Difficult heightening (simplification by pre-stressing)
 Bad interference in to natural landscape
 Completed unit costs are much higher than for embankment fills, which seldom balanced
by the much lower volumes of concrete required in a dam of certain height.

1.7.1. Gravity Dams

Concrete gravity dam is designed so that its stability is maintained on it own mass. Its profile is
essentially triangular, to ensure stability and to avoid over stressing of the dam or its foundation.
It may be straight or curved in plan.

1.7.2. Buttress Dams

Consist of a continuous upstream face supported at regular intervals by downstream buttress.
Buttress dams were first developed to conserve water in regions where materials were scarce or
expensive but labor was cheap. Normally needs up to 60% less concrete than gravity dams of the
same height, but needs more form work and reinforcement.
(See figure 1.6.c)

1.7.3. Arch Dams

Loads resisted mainly by arch action and transmitted through abutments. It requires constant
solid and strong abutments. The type is suitable in narrow gorges when the length of the crest is
not more than 5 times the height of the dam. Its particular derivation is the cupola or double
curvature arch dam, which is the most sophisticated concrete dams, and is extremely economical
in concrete. (Refer figure 1.6. b)

1.7.4. Other Concrete Dams

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

There are member of less common variant of the major types of concrete dams, which also exist. They
include hollow gravity, decked buttress, flat slab (ambursen) buttress, multiple arch (multiple cupola)
dams.

GALLERIES
A gallery is an opening within a dam that provides access into or through the dam. These may
run either longitudinally or transversely and may be either horizontal or inclined. The following
are the common types and uses of galleries (1):
(i) Drainage galleries provide a drainage way for water percolating through the upstream face or seeping
through the foundation.
(ii) Grouting galleries provide space for drilling and grouting the foundation.
(iii) Inspection galleries provide access to the interior of the structure for observing its
behaviour after completion.
(iv) Gate galleries (or chambers or vaults) provide access to, and room for, such mechanical and
electrical equipment as are used for the operation of gates in spillways and
outlet works.
(v) Cable galleries provide access through the dam for control cables and/or power cables and related
equipment.
(vi) Visitors’ galleries provide access routes for visitors.
Other galleries may be needed in a particular dam to meet special requirements, such
as the artificial cooling of concrete blocks, the grouting of contraction joints, and so on.

1.8.Site Investigation, Selection of Sites and Type of Dam

1.8.1. General
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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

A dam and reservoir site must satisfy certain functional and technical requirements. Whether
these requirements are satisfied can be found out through site investigations and technical
evaluations

Functional: the functional suitability of a site is governed by the balance between its natural
physical characteristics and the purpose of the dam/ reservoir. The catchment hydrology,
available head and storage volume etc, must be matched by the operational parameters needed of
the project.

Technical: Technical suitability is associated to the presence or absence of suitable site for a
dam, material of construction, and integrity of reservoir basin with respect to leakage.
Hydrological, geological/geotechnical characteristics of catchment and site are the principal
determinants establishing the technical suitability of reservoir site.

In addition, assessment of the anticipated environmental consequences of construction and

operation of the dam is needed to be evaluated to select site for storage and dam construction.

The following are major considerations:

1. Major design inputs: geotechnical, structural, hydraulic, hydrological and also

environmental impacts/effects
2. Optimum design solutions: solution of appropriate type of dam (no clear-cut-rule) derives
from interaction of the above inputs with economic factors including constructional
constraints.
3. As 2 implies, there are frequently several alternatives solutions, which are of equal
technical but of different economic validity. Note that, both relative economic validity
and to a lesser extent technical validity are subject to change as technology develops.
4. Each and every dam is quite unique solution to the problems of the site in question, in
terms of the balance of technical and economical factor at the time of consideration.

Principal stages involving site appraisal and leading to selection of optimum dam site and
type of dam are indicated schematically in Figure 1.7 (After Novak et al)

In order to meet the requirements of dam site investigation, design and construction, a
fully coordinated team of specialists is needed. A team of hydraulic, structural, material,
and geotechnical engineers, geologists, and hydrologists should ensure that all
engineering and geological considerations are properly integrated into the overall design.

Some of the critical aspects of the analysis and design process that require coordination
are (US Army Corps of Engineers):

a. Preliminary assessments of geological data, sub-surface conditions, and rock

structure.
b. Selection of material properties, design parameters, loading conditions, loading
effects, potential mechanisms, and other related features of the analytical models.

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c. Evaluation of the technical and economic feasibility of alternative type structures.

d. Constructability reviews to see whether design assumptions and construction
procedures are compatible.
e. Refinement of the preliminary structure configuration to reflect the results of
detailed site explorations, materials availability studies, laboratory testing, and
numerical analysis.
f. Cofferdam and diversion layout, design, and sequencing requirements.
g. Size and type of outlet works and spillway.
h. Modification to the structure configuration during construction due to unexpected
variations in the foundation conditions.

1.8.2. Collection of Data

Physical and Topographical Data

Selection of dam and reservoir sites requires presence of suitable topography. Information can be
obtained through site visit and from large scale topographic maps or aerial photographs. The criteria for
the choice of the site include investigation of:

Valley form

 Canon and V-shape: due to erosion,

 U-shape: due to glacier cut,
 Wide valley: due to strong bank erosion,
 Box valley; due to fluvial deposit on the other shapes

The valley width at the dam site is required to be narrow and wide in the storage part. Figure 1.8 shows
the various forms of valley shapes.

Slope: upstream of the dam site, the possible small slope and downstream of the dam site the possible
large slope (by hydropower scheme)

In the collection of relevant topographical information, the following may be followed:

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

General Plan:

- Obtain a general plan of the catchment and project area from relevant sources (e.g. EMA)
- Carry out limited survey to include additional information in this plan (aerial
reconnaissance, physical survey, walkovers)
- It must include: the dam site, spillway site, irrigable area/power house site, catchment are
of the stream, locality to be supplied with potable water (if any) Scale may vary from
1:1000-1:10,000

The following features should be included:

i. Contours at 0.5mto 1.5m interval

ii. location of existing works, if any, affected by the proposed development
iii. proposed relocation of roads, railways, transmission lines, etc
iv. additional transportation facilities such as access roads; cable ways, etc, required
for the execution of the project
v. location of the stream gauging stations, water sampling and meteorological
stations, if any in the area

Large Plans of the Dam and Spillway Sites:

These should be in the scale of 1:500 to 1:000 with contours as close as possible. These plans should
show:
 Over banks
 Location and elevation of all features such as buildings roads etc
 Location and numbering of test pits and borings.

Geotechnical and Geological Data

A geological map of the entire catchment and project area is essential. Investigation of geological and
geotechnical information of the origin, deposition, formation and physical characteristics of the dam
foundation and reservoir area are needed. As a basis for the investigation, if there is no accurately
describing geological map exists, such maps are produced on large scale for the dam site and on small
scale for reservoir area.

Dam and Spillway Site

Subsurface investigation should be carried out by experienced geologist to obtain the following:
 Geological section of the selected dam site
 Quality of the overburden if an earth dam is to be built
 Shearing strength of the material of overburden and of the dam material
 Quantity and Quality of the overburden material for construction purpose
 Presence of joint planes, caverns, solution channels
 Quality of rock if concrete dam is to be built
 Depth to which rock is weathered

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

 Presence & extent of seams and joint planes (and orientations)

 Strength of the rock (hardness and durability)
 Availability of aggregate

Reservoir Site

 Check the existence of cracks which are potential leakage source

 Banks should be checked for possible zones of landslide

Earth quake

Information on seismic activity of the area should be obtained

Here it is assumed that, adequate knowledge of the relevant engineering geology, soil mechanics
and geotechnical parameters are acquired.

Water Resources Data

Data regarding the following are required for water resources planning and reservoir design:
 Catchment area (surface and subsurface0
 Discharge (surface and sub-surface); daily/monthly volume of flow in the stream and
peaks of stream flow at or near dam site
 Sediment carried by the stream
 Maximum observed flood, report on damage caused by flood (extent of flood)
 Data establishing water demand (number of people to be served, approximate maximum
and minimum daily requirement, irrigation water requirement, other requirement for
industries, livestock,, etc)
 Meteorological data such as average temperature, average monthly rainfall, maximum
recorded storm intensities, rate of evaporation
 Ground water level
 Data on minimum downstream water requirement

Project Development Data

Data such as agricultural, hydropower and other relevant data to the project purpose Eg. For irrigation
purpose, the following data are essential for the determination of water requirement:

 size of the area to be irrigated

 soil structure
 possible type of crops
 types of soils along the conveyance canals

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

Miscellaneous Data

- Materials data: soil, gravel and stone (for aggregate and riprap) are needed in good
quantity and quality for dam construction (possible borrow sites for these materials
should be identified), the borrow area should be within the reasonable distance from the
site. Selection of suitable borrow area is identified by:
 Thickness of the top organic soil which has to be discarded
 Content of organic matter in the rest of the soil
 Quantity of oversized cobbles which would have to be removed from
the soil

- Rock for aggregate and riprap has to pass the standard tests of specific gravity,
absorption, abrasion, soundness, etc.
- Erosion in the catchment area- identify sources of erosion
- Transport-Existing facilities and rates
- Local labor-availability and rates
- Information at the desk study stage
- Notes on site reconnaissance

Which are generally valid for site investigation for civil engineering purposes.

1.8.3. Investigations

The purpose of site or material investigation in the context of dam engineering is to determine the
suitability of the selected site for dam construction and reservoir storage as well as to describe the
geotechnical parameters necessary for the design and construction of the structures.

For such purposes, thus, general site exploration and investigations, in addition to the above data
collection, involve the following:

 Field investigation: The field investigation must be a continual process starting with the
preliminary geologic review of known conditions, progressing to a detailed drilling program and
sample testing program, and concluding at the end of construction with a safe and operational
structure.
 In situ tests/ Field tests : Undisturbed samples are required to determine the engineering
properties of the foundation materials, demanding extreme care in application and sampling
methods.
 Laboratory tests : must attempt to duplicate the actual anticipated loading situations as closely as
possible. Compressive strength testing and direct shear testing are normally required to
determine design values for shear strength and bearing
(See details of these soil mechanics and foundation engineering courses)

1.8.4. Location of Dam

Influencing factors:

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

 Plan for the use of water

 Width and shape of the valley
 Load carrying capacity and impermeability of foundation
 Seepage lose in the reservoir area
 Quantity, quality and transport distance of the construction materials
 Suitability for appurtenant structures (bottom outlet, intake, spillway, power house)
 Danger due to slide, avalanche, etc
 Influence on environment and landscape
 Recreation value
 Available storage area
 Dam heightening and capacity augmentation possibilities
 Cost
 Social and political implications

1.8.5. Height of a Dam

The selection of the height of a dam influenced from:
 Local topographic conditions
 Dam type
 Required storage
 Finance

1.8.6. Selection of Dam Type

Influencing factors:
 Topography (valley form see Figure 1.8 and 1.10)
 Foundation (stability, impermeability)
 Geology (layers, fishers)
 Required height
 Purpose of the dam
 Climate (ice)
 Flood spillway
 Availability, quality (nature, state) of construction materials
 Construction (Supply, transport, equipment, qualification of personnel)
 Landscape
 Cost (economics)
It is necessary to make open the possible alternative solutions until an optimum solution is found w.r.t
cost, construction program and available resource. Novak et al consider four cardinally important points
in selection of dam type as:
1. Hydraulic Gradient: the nominal value of hydraulic gradient I for seepage under, around
or through dam varies by at least one order of magnitude according to type (0.5 for
homogenous dam to 10 or more for buttress or coupola)
2. Foundation stress: nominal stress transmitted to the foundation vary greatly with dam
type (The notional maximum stresses due to dam height of 100m varies between 1.8 to
10 MN/m2 for embankment to arch dams)
3. Foundation deformability: certain types of dams are better able to accommodate
significant foundation deformation /settlement without damage.

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

4. Foundation excavation: economic considerations dictate the excavation volume and

foundation preparation should be minimized.

Figure 1.10 illustrate examples of valley profile with suggested dam type and Table 1.3 provide type
characteristics with respect to choice of dams 9After Novak et al)

Type Notes and Characteristics

Embankment
Earth fill Suited to either rock or soil foundation and can accept limited
differential settlement given relatively wide and plastic core. Cut-off
to sound, i.e. less permeable, horizon required. Low contact stress
Rock fill Rock foundation preferable; can accept variable quality and limited
weathering. Cut-off to sound horizons required. Rock fills suitable for
all weather placing. Requires materials for core, filter, etc.
Concrete
Gravity Suited to wide valleys, provided that excavation depth is less than c.
5m. Limited weathering of rock acceptable. Check discontinuities in
rock with regard top sliding. Moderate contact stress. Requires
imported cement.
Buttress As gravity dam, but higher contact stress require sound rock.

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CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

Concrete save relative to gravity dam 30-60%.

Arch/Cupola Suited to narrow gorges, subject to uniform sound rock of high
strength and limited deformability in foundation and most practically
in abutments.
High abutment loading. Concrete saving relative to gravity dam is 50-
85%

Table 1.3: Dam selection: Type characteristics

Types of head works

The construction work done at the river or canal for diversion of water to the off-taking canal is known
as head-work. Depending on the purpose, head-works may be:

1. Storage head-work or

2. Diversion head-work

Storage head-work is constructed to store water for some purpose

The main purpose of diversion head-work is to divert the required quantity of water into the off-taking
canals for irrigation purpose. A diversion head-works may also serve the following purposes:

i) to raise the water level in the river for increasing its command

ii) to regulate the intake of water into the canal

iii) to control silt entry into the canal

iv) to store water for meeting emergency requirements

v) to prevent fluctuations in the level of supply of the river.

1.9 Foundation Treatment

 It is a technique of improving the foundation property for the construction of high concrete
structures. The foundation of a gravity dam should be firm and free of major faults which, if
present , may require costly foundation treatment. The entire loose overburden over the area of
the foundation to be occupied by the base of the dam should be removed. The dam itself must be
based on the firm material which can withstand the loads imposed by the dam, reservoir, and
other appurtenant structures. To consolidate the rock foundation and to make it an effective
barrier to seepage under the dam, the foundation is often grouted.
Types of F.T
1. Grouting
2. cutoff
3. Plastic diaphragm.
Purpose: To reduce seepage & improve the load carrying capacity of the rock

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.
1. Grouting
 A process of injecting suitable mixture of water & cement under water.
Grouting consists of filling the cracks and voids in the foundation with grout mixtures (cement-water
mixtures) under pressure.
The spacing, length, pattern of grout holes, and grouting procedure depend on the height of the structure
and the geologic characteristics of the foundation. Grouting operations are carried out from the surface
of the excavated foundation or from galleries within the dam or from tunnels driven into the abutments
or from other suitable locations, such as the upstream fillet of the dam.

Objective
* To produce effective underground barrier against flow of water.
* To fill the voids in the near surface rock under the structure w/c in turn increase bearing capacity
of foundation.
Types of Grouting
A) Consolidation grouting
 Holes are drilled to depth 3 to 15m (shallow)
 Grouted at low pressure higher than 3.5kg/cm2
Purpose:
* To strengthen the rock, creating a strong monolithic slab.
* To seal off all major crevices.
* To reduce deformability of the rock.
* To increase the modulus of elasticity of the rock.

B. Blanket Grouting
 It is similar to consolidation grouting except that the purpose of the blanket is to reduce uplift
pressures under the structure.
 Grouting is done in the reservoir area of dams.
C. Dental treatment
 Excavating objectionable materials from solution cavities, fault zones & filling with concrete.
 The depth of plug is given by:
d=0.0066bh + 1.5 , for h≥46m
d=0.30b +1.5 , for h < 46m
Where:
h=Ht of dam above general foundation. (m)
b=width of weak zone (m).
d=Depth of excavation of weak zone below
surface of adjoining sound rock (m).
D. Contact Grouting
 Sealing operation intended to bring about a fully bonded contact b/n any concrete structure
& adjacent rock.
 Used mostly in the abutment areas of concrete dams & in the crown areas of concrete lined
tunnels in rock.

E. Curtain Grouting
 High pressure grouting.

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 Holes may be vertical or inclined.

Purpose
 To create a deep curtain at the head of dam w/c will prevent leakage from reservoir &
development of uplift pressure
 According to Creager.
 For massive rock

 For sound stratified rock

Where, p= allowable pressure ( kg/cm2)

h= Depth below the surface (m).
2. Cutoff
 An impervious barrier constructed at shallow depth to ensure the water tightness of dam
foundation
 Constructed of rigid R.C.C
3. Plastic diaphragm
 An impervious barrier carried out with plastic structure to accommodate differential settle.
 Formed from the mixture of sand,bentonite, water & cement.
*In general foundation treatment is done:
1.Treatment of Rock Foundations
 Final Surface of Rock Foundations
 Treatment of Rock Foundation Defects
 Leakage Through Rock Foundations
 Grouting Rock Foundations
 Consolidation Grouting
 Drainage of Rock Foundations
2. Treatment of Earth Foundations
 Bearing Strength of Earth Foundations
 Sliding on Earth Foundations
 Seepage Through Earth Foundations

Exercises
1. What are the physical factors governing the selection of site and type of dam that can be
constructed at a given valley?
2. Enumerate the major site investigations of a new project that must be conducted before
construction Phase?
3. The Elevation-Area relationship of a reservoir is given by the equation below:
A(H)= 0.011*H2- 5.352*H + 656.4, where A=area (Km2) and H= Elevation (m)
The river bed level is at + 240m and the top crest level of the dam is + 340m.And,
Analysis has been made between successive contour intervals of 20m and no initial
Storage.

Civil Engineering Department 18 Set by: Yohannes H.

CEng - 3161 Chapter 1 – Elements of Dam Engineering

A) Determine the dead storage and live storage in Mm3 for Normal operating condition?
B) What is the elevation & area of reservoir when the storage is 2,400Mm3?
4. Explain the purpose of site or material investigation in dam engineering? And, Differentiate
between blanket and contact grouting? And, where do we apply each of them ?

Civil Engineering Department 19 Set by: Yohannes H.