Compressible foundation

Reasons of economics may cause the designer to accept a compressible

foundation. An example is the Eberlaste dam. The interna! membrane of as-
phaltic concrete rests on a toc structure which links the membrane with the
diaphragm of plastic concrete in the foundation, The foundation conditions
and the typical section of the dam are shown in Figures 7.51 and 7.52, AUthe
abutments the rock surface ¡s steeply inclined. In the valley, bedrock was not
encountered after drilling 124 m deep. The valley is filled up by very het-
erogeneous sandy and gravelly river sediments with a 20 m thick layer of
sand and silt on top. The steep slopes are covered by slope debris with boul-
ders, The permeability of the foundation is reported to be in the order of 107
to 10 m/s (Breth de Gúimther 1967)

The internal membrane of asphaltic concrete was selected for economic

reasons. With respect to the necessary Mexibility, the material is composed
as follows: