DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Contents
Dams Engineering Part I ............................................................................................................................................... 3

# Introduction to Dams Engineering ........................................................................................................................... 5

# Dam Types: ............................................................................................................................................................. 5

# History................................................................................................................................................................... 15

# Selection of Site for a Dam ................................................................................................................................... 18

# Selection of Dam Type for a Site.......................................................................................................................... 19

# Investigations of Dam Sites ................................................................................................................................. 20

Gravity Dams ................................................................................................................................................................. 22

# Introduction............................................................................................................................................................ 22

# Forces acting on a Gravity dam .............................................................................................................................. 23

# Design Methods of Gravity dam............................................................................................................................. 24

# Analysis Methods of Gravity Dam. ......................................................................................................................... 24

1. Gravity Method (or Two-dimensional Method)................................................................................................ 24

I. Gravity Force (Weight of the Dam): - ............................................................................................................ 25

II. Hydrostatic pressure forces on the Dam :- ................................................................................................... 25

III. Uplift pressure force:- ............................................................................................................................... 26

IV. Silt pressure forces:-.................................................................................................................................. 28

V. Wave pressure force:- ................................................................................................................................... 28

VI. Wind Pressure ........................................................................................................................................... 29

VII. Ice Pressure ............................................................................................................................................... 29

VIII. Earthquake Effects .................................................................................................................................... 29

# Modes of Failure (Stability Requirements) of a Gravity Dam ................................................................................ 31

1- Overturning Failure ........................................................................................................................................... 32

2- Sliding Failure .................................................................................................................................................... 32

3- Tension Failure .................................................................................................................................................. 33

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

4- Failure due to Crushing (or Compression) ........................................................................................................ 34

# Principals & Shear Stresses: - ................................................................................................................................. 34

# Selection of dam cross section elements (free board, top width, u/s & d/s slopes) ............................................. 36

1. Free board: - .................................................................................................................................................. 36

2. Top Width. ..................................................................................................................................................... 37

3. U/S & D/S Slopes. .......................................................................................................................................... 37

Example ..................................................................................................................................................................... 37

# Design of Dam Section Depending on the Elementary Profile............................................................................... 42

# High and Low Gravity Dam ..................................................................................................................................... 42

# Practical profile of low gravity dam ....................................................................................................................... 43

# Design of high dam ................................................................................................................................................. 43

# Construction of gravity dam ................................................................................................................................... 46

I. Diversion During Construction ...................................................................................................................... 46

II. Preparing of foundation: ............................................................................................................................... 47

III. Concrete Handling, Placing and Consolidation (CMC method)................................................................. 47

A. Formwork ...................................................................................................................................................... 48

B. Cooling of Concrete ....................................................................................................................................... 48

C. Amount and Type of Cement. ....................................................................................................................... 49

D. Aggregate Content. ....................................................................................................................................... 49

IV. Joints in the Dam Structures ..................................................................................................................... 49

V. Water stops ................................................................................................................................................... 51

VI. Galleries..................................................................................................................................................... 52

# Construction of concrete dams using Roller Compacted concrete (RCC). ............................................................ 54

 Advantages .................................................................................................................................................... 54

 Sequence of placement .................................................................................................................................. 55

 Materials – Cement ....................................................................................................................................... 56

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

 Mineral admixtures ....................................................................................................................................... 56

 Chemical Admixtures.................................................................................................................................... 56

 Aggregates..................................................................................................................................................... 56

 Mix design ..................................................................................................................................................... 57

 Thermal properties ........................................................................................................................................ 57

 Permeability .................................................................................................................................................. 58

 Lift thickness ................................................................................................................................................. 58

 Compaction ................................................................................................................................................... 59

 Horizontal Joint forming ............................................................................................................................... 59

Arch Dams ..................................................................................................................................................................... 60

# Types of Arch Dams ................................................................................................................................................ 60

# Forces Acting on an Arch Dam ............................................................................................................................... 63

# Methods for Design of Arch Dams ......................................................................................................................... 63

# Thin Cylinder Theory .............................................................................................................................................. 64

Example 1 .................................................................................................................................................................. 65

Example 2 ................................................................................................................................................................. 66

Buttress Dams ............................................................................................................................................................... 66

# Component parts of a buttress dam ...................................................................................................................... 67

# Types of Buttress Dam ........................................................................................................................................... 67

# Forces Acting on a Buttress Dam ........................................................................................................................... 71

# Deck Slab Type Buttress Dams ............................................................................................................................... 71

# Stability Requirement of the Buttress .................................................................................................................... 72

Dams Engineering Part I

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Syllabus :-

1- Introduction to Dams Engineering

2- Gravity dams

3-Construction of Gravity dams

4- Arch dams

5- Buttress dams

References :-

1. Irrigation, Water Resources and Water Power Engineering –Dr. P. N. MODI – 2000 – As a Text Book
2. Design of Small Dams, USBR, 1987 (Newest edition - www.usbr.org) – As a Reference
3. Irrigation, Water Power and Water Resources Engineering –Dr. K. R. ARORA - 2001 – As a Reference
4. Roller Compacted Concrete Dam, by V.K Mehrotra, First Edition; 2004.
5. Roller Compacted Concrete, Engineering Manual, US Army Corps of Engineering, by Gilbert Gedeon,
P.E.EM 1110-2- 2006
6. Fundamentals of Irrigation Engineering; Bharat Singh; Nem Chand.
7. Irrigation and Water Power Engineering; BC Punmia, BBL Pande; Laxmi Pub.
8. Theory and Design of Irrigation Structures; Varshney, Gupta, Gupta; Nem Chand.
9. Irrigation Engineering and Hydraulic Structures; SK Garg; Khanna Pub.
10. Hydraulic Structures; P. Novak, AIB Moffat, C. Nalluri, and R. Narayanan: Taylor & Francis, New York

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

# Introduction to Dams Engineering

Dam: - It is a structure (barrier) built across a stream (river) to create a reservoir on its upstream side or
impounding water. It is probably the most important hydraulic structure built on the river.

# Dam Types:
Dams can be classified according to different criteria as follow: -

1- Classification based on function served

 Storage Dams: store water during the periods of surplus water supply, to be used later during the
period of deficient supply. Usually their spillways are provided with gates.
 Detention Dams: they detain flood waters temporarily so as to retard flood runoff and thus
minimize the bad effect of sudden flood. Usually their spillway has no gates.
 Debris Dams: they are Detention Dams constructed to trap sediments.
 Diversion Dams they are used to raise the river water level for irrigation purposes ( such as weir
or barrages).
 Coffer Dams: They are temporary dams constructed to exclude water from a specific area to
facilitate the construction of other structures such as dams. The purpose of the cofferdam is to
provide protection so that construction can proceed in the dry.
2- Classification based on hydraulic design

 Overflow Dams (Spillway)

 Non-overflow Dams
3-Classification based on materials

 Masonry Dams
 Concrete Dams
 Earth Dams
 Rockfill Dams
 Timber Dams
 Steel Dams

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

4-Classification based on Hydraulic behavior

 Overflow dams
 Non-overflow dams
5- Classification based on structural behavior (action)

 Gravity Dams
 Arch Dams
 Buttress Dams
 Earth-fill Dams
 Rock-fill Dams
 Steel Dams
 Timber Dams
6- Based on Capacity:

 Small dams
 Medium dams
 Large dams
# Hydraulic head (max. u/s pool level) (normal flood level at d/s)

# ICOLD= International Commission of Large Dams

ICOLD defines large dams as dams exceeding 15 m in height or in case of dams of 10 to 15m, satisfying
6 3
one certain criteria e.g a storage volume in excess of 1x or a flood discharge capacity of over 2000
3
/s.

Notes :-

1- As a general broad classification, dams can be classified into two broad types :-
I. Concrete Dams (Gravity, Arch and Buttress Dams)
II. Embankment Dams (Earth-fill, Rock-fill, Combined concrete-cum- earth and Composite Dams)
2- At or near the dam site there is an overflow structure, which is called Spillway, constructed to dispose
of surplus water from the reservoir to the d/s channel safely.

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

3- Holes or openings (Outlets) are provided in the body of dam or its abutments below the crest level of
the spillway to withdrawn water from the reservoir to use for various purposes.

4- Hydropower (Water Power) is generated by utilizing the energy of water (or hydraulic energy) and
converting it into the mechanical energy by water turbines.

U/S
Stream Direction

Dam Length

Right Wall of Valley

Left Wall of Valley
( Right Abutment)
(Left Abutment)

Road
Non-Overflow
Section
Overflow
D/S Section

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Top width or Crest

Headwater
U/S or D/S
U/S D/S Toe or
u/s water Core
Shell Shell d/s toe

Foundation

Heel or
Top width or Crest
u/s toe
Freeboard

U/S
D/S

Headwater

Heel Tailwater

Toe
Foundation Base width

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Gravity Dam

Arch Dam

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Buttress Dam

Earth Dam

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Earth Dam

Combined concrete-cum-earth Dams

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DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Spillway

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Spillway of Oroville Dam

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Dam Outlet

Beavers

Beavers are best known for

their natural trait of building dams
in rivers and streams, and building
their homes (known as beaver
lodges) in the eventual pond. They
are the second-largest rodent in the
world (after the capybara).
Beavers continue to grow
throughout life. Adult specimens
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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Beaver
Dams

# History

Most of the first dams were built in Mesopotamia up to 7,000 years ago. These were used to control the
water level, for Mesopotamia's weather affected the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and could be quite
unpredictable.

The earliest recorded dam is believed to have been on the Sadd Al-Kafara at Wadi Al-Garawi, which is
located about 25 kilometers south of Cairo, and built around 2600 B.C. It was destroyed by heavy rain
shortly afterwards.

The oldest surviving and standing dam in the world is believed to be the Grand Anicut, also known as the
Kallanai, an ancient dam built on the Kaveri River in the state of Tamil Nadu located in southern India. It
was built by the Chola king Karikalan, and dates back to the 2nd century AD. It is a massive dam of
unhewn stone, over 300 meters long, 4.5 meters high and 20 meters (60 feet) wide, across the main
stream of the Cauvery.

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Grande Dixence gravity dam

Highest gravity dam on the Dixence River, Switzerland, completed in 1961. It is 935 feet (285 m) high and 2,280 feet
(695 m) wide at the crest, has a volume of 7,848,000 cubic yards (6,000,000 cubic m), and impounds a reservoir of
325,000 acre-feet (401,000,000 cubic m). Grande Dixence was the tallest dam in the world until completion of the
Nurek Dam in the Soviet Union in 1980. The dam was built in annual stages, a procedure necessary because the alpine
working…

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Grande Dixence gravity dam

Inguri Arch Dam

The Inguri Dam is a hydroelectric dam on the Inguri River in Georgia. The dam was
completed in 1980 in Georgian SSR (then a republic of the USSR), and at 272 m, it is the
world's tallest arch dam.

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Ten Tallest Damin World - 2005

Large Dams: World Wide Registered Statistics (ICOLD 1998)

# Selection of Site for a Dam

The following factors shall be considered when selecting the site for a dam:-
1- Topography (Narrow Gorge and D/S of the Confluence).
2- Suitable Foundation.
3- Spillway Site.
4- Availability of Material.

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

5- Water Tightness of Reservoir.

6- Shape of Reservoir Basin (Cup-Shaped).
7- Small Submerged Area.
8- Accessibility.
9- Healthy Surroundings (in the vicinity of the dam site should be enough space with good environment
for labour and other staff).
10- Low sediments.
11- Minimum Overall Cost.

# Selection of Dam Type for a Site

The following factors shall be considered when selecting the dam for a site :-
1- Topography and Valley shape (Narrow V-shaped, Wide V-shaped and Low Rolling Plain).

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

2- Geology and Foundation Conditions.

A. Good rocky foundation (suitable for all types of dams).
B. Gravel and coarse sand foundation (unable to bear the load of high gravity dams, and need
effective cutoff)
C. Silt and fine sand foundation (it is suitable only for earth-fill dams and very low gravity dams (max.
8 m), it main problems are: settlement, piping and excessive percolation of water).
D. Clay foundation (unconsolidated clay foundation with high water content is subjected to
settlement problems so it is suitable only for earth-fill dams with special treatments to consolidate
the foundation)
E. Non-uniform foundation.
3- Spillway Size and Location. (Small spillway = earthfill or rockfill dams and large spillway = concrete overflow
dam).
4- Availability of material.
5- Earthquake hazards.
6- Climatic Conditions. (No arch & buttress dams for cold regions and No earth dam for wet regions).
7- Diversion problem. 8- Environmental Consideration. 9- Minimum overall cost.
# Investigations of Dam Sites

To locate the most suitable site for a dam thorough investigations are necessary. These investigation can
be broadly classified into three categories as follow:-
1. Reconnaissance.
This involves visiting all proposed sites, and the following information are usually collected
a- Topographical data (maps, approximate storage capacity and water head, spillway location).
b- Geological data (without subsurface exploration).
c- Hydrological data (approximate estimation of stream flow data).
d- Other data such as seismicity of the region, existing water resources, water uses and water demands.
2. Preliminary Investigation.
In this type, the following information is usually collected
a- Preliminary surveys (not too precise for all sites)
b- Preliminary Geological studies (a few boring and investigation of overburden)
c- Preliminary Hydrological studies (peak flow and sediment quantity).
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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

d- Construction materials.
e- Public Utility [roads, railways, telephones, water lines and power line (like electric power line)]
3. Final Investigation.
Finally one of the proposed dam sites is selected for final, precise investigation.
a. Detailed Survey
b. Foundation treatment
c. Detailed Geological Investigation
d. Demarcation of Land
e. Final design, estimation and location.

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Gravity Dams
# Introduction.
A gravity dam is a huge concrete structure constructed across a river to create a reservoir on its u/s. It
is approximately triangular in shape (section or profile), resists the forces acting on it by its own weight
(gravity force).

# It is generally straight in plan (straight gravity dam), but in some cases it may slightly curved in plan,
with its convexity upstream.

# There are two types of gravity dam; solid gravity dam and hollow gravity dam.

# Gravity dams are particularly suited for gorges with steep slopes having sound rock (low gravity dam <
15-20m. can be constructed even on soil foundation).

# Gravity dams are usually provided with an overflow spillway in some portion of its length. (overflow
section).

# The Structural height of the dam is the difference in elevation of the top of the dam and the lowest point
in the excavated foundation.

# The hydraulic height of the dam is the difference in elevation of the highest controlled water surface on
the u/s of the dam the lowest point in the bed river.

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

# The axis of the gravity dam is the line of the upstream edge of the top (or crown) of the dam. It is also
called the base line

# The length of the gravity dam is the distance from one abutment to the other, measured along the axis.

Dam axis

Structural Height
Hydraulic Height

heel Toe

Dam Length

Road
Non-Overflow Section Overflow
Section

# Forces acting on a Gravity dam

1- Gravity force (weight of the dam).
2- Water pressure force.
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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

3- Uplift pressure force.

4- Wave pressure force.
5- Silt pressure force.
6- Ice pressure force.
7- Wind pressure force.
8- Earthquake forces (effects)

# Design Methods of Gravity dam.

I. Single Step Method (or Stability Analysis Method).
II. Multiple-Step Method (Zone Method or Step by Step Method).
III. Strip Method (High dams).

I- Single Step Method (or Stability Analysis Method).

In this method suitable section (suitable top width, freeboard and d/s & u/s slopes) are assumed. The
section is then analyzed and checked by one of the analysis methods of gravity dam.

# Analysis Methods of Gravity Dam.

1. Gravity Method (or Two-dimensional Method).
2. Three-Dimensional Method:-
a. Trail load twist method.
b. Slab analogy method.
c. Lattice analogy method.
3. Experimental Method
a. Direct Method
b. b- Indirect Method.
4. Finite element Method.
1. Gravity Method (or Two-dimensional Method).

In this method the dam is considered to be composed of a series of vertical cantilevers independent of
each other and the loads (forces) acting on the dam are transferred to the foundation through cantilever
action. For the sake of convenience a cantilever of unit length contained between two vertical plains
normal to the axis of the dam is considered above the deepest foundation level and its stability is checked

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

against all the possible modes of failure, at the base of the dam as well as at various horizontal sections
above the base. If necessary the assumed dam section is modified and when a section satisfying the
stability requirements is obtained the same is adopted for the entire dam.

I. Gravity Force (Weight of the Dam): -

3 3
Gravity Force (F) =W = * Volume, Note: - ( ) = 2.4 tonnees/ or = 24 kN/

W2
Y1
Y2

W3
Y3

W1

X1 X2 X3

II. Hydrostatic pressure forces on the Dam :-

2 2
PH = (1/2) γwater H PH = (1/2) γwater H΄

Pv1 = (𝐻1 *X) γwater Pv´ = (1/2) γwater (X΄*H´)

PV2 = (1/2) X*𝐻2 * γwater

PV1
H1 X/2

X X'
PH PV2 X'/3 Pv'
X/3
H/3 H2 H'
PH'
H'/3
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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

III. Uplift pressure force:-

H'
B

γ 𝐻,
w
?wH'
γ (H)
w

?w (H-H')
𝑈2
U1
𝑈2 = γ * (B*H‫)׳‬
w
𝑈1
U2
𝑈1 = (1/2)γB* (H- H΄)

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

ℎ𝑎 ℎ𝑑
𝛾(ℎ𝑑 + )
3

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

IV. Silt pressure forces:-

ℎ
ℎ
2
ℎ ( )
+

X/2 Ps v1

X/3 Psv 2

ℎ𝑠
ℎ𝑠 Ps h

V. Wave pressure force:-

2.4 hw
Wave Pressure Diagram

4 5
3 hw 3 hw
Pw
3
h
8 w 1 w
8h
1
2.4 hw
3 hw

4 w
3h
2 w
3h 1
hw 8 hw
1
3 hw

Pw = 2 * (hw) 2
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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Pw in tones and hw in meter

VI. Wind Pressure

Generally, the wind pressure is not significant for the design of gravity dams and is therefore neglected.
However, the superstructure of dams carrying very large gates may be subjected to high wind pressure,
which should be considered in the design (0.1 to 0.15 t/m2).
VII. Ice Pressure
At High altitudes and in the cold climates, ice is formed in the reservoir and the reservoir surface gets
covered with a sheet of ice. Subsequently, when the temperature of atmosphere rises, ice sheets expands
and causes a thrust on the dam. The magnitude of the ice thrust (force) depends on: -
 Thickness of the ice sheet: usually not more than 1 m, but in some sub-zero regions, it may be
even 2m or more.
 Restrains of rim walls depends upon the rigidity of the rim walls of the reservoir.
 U/S slope of the dam.
 Rate of rise of temperature thrust increase with temperature rise increasing.

PI
ℎ1

PI = Ice pressure area = Ice Pressure ℎ1 1 = ℎ1 ice pressure

Notes:-

 The ice thrust may be increased by wind drag effects

 According to U.S.B.R. take the ice pressure as 5 to 50 t/ 2
(depending on temperature variation)
VIII. Earthquake Effects
An earthquake produces seismic waves which set the earth’s crust into a state of vibration. These waves
impart a momentary acceleration (sudden movement) to the earth’s crust (ground under the dam). The
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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

dam must also move with it to avoid rupture. This leads to inertia forces in the dam and the water in the
reservoir. The earthquake wave may travel at any inclination through the foundation of the dam. It is
more convenient to consider the components of acceleration in the vertical and horizontal direction.

# Inertia forces

The inertia force always acts opposite to the direction of earthquake acceleration. It is expressed as

, But ( ) and acceleration

Where is seismic coefficient, weight of dam, g = gravity acceleration.

Thus: ( )

 Inertia forces in the dam

1- Vertical inertia force……….. = W
2- Horizontal inertia force…….. = W
 Inertia force in the water

Due to horizontal acceleration( towards the reservoir) the dam and its foundation accelerate toward
the reservoir and the water resists the movement owing to its inertia, and hence the water pressure is
increased. The additional water pressure is known as the hydrodynamic pressure.

 Hydrodynamic Pressure:

Zanger in 1952 gave the formula for computing the hydrodynamic pressure ( ). In that formula the
intensity of hydrodynamic pressure distribution is assumed to be parabolic. According to that formula
the hydrodynamic pressure at the depth of y is

y
𝐹𝑒𝑦
H 𝑃𝑒𝑦

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Where C = depends upon the slopes (U/S & d/S) and depth of the reservoir , it can be obtained as follows:

* ( )+√ ( )+

Where = maximum value of C. It can be obtained from a chart or it can be approximately obtained

from the relation: 3 ( )

9

Where = angle in degree which the u/s or d/s face makes with vertical

y = Depth of the point under consideration from the reservoir water surface.

H = Depth of headwater

x x
H
ØU
ØD

If the u/s face is partly vertical and partly sloping, can be obtained as follow: -
If h ≥ (H/2)……… take =0
If h ≤ (H/2)……… take =
h
y
H ØU

The total force on the portion of the dam up to depth y from top is given by: F = 0.726 P y.
ey ey

The moment about the plane up to which force is taken, is given by: Me = 0.299 .
Note: - The effects of earthquake on silt, uplift and Ice pressure are neglected.

# Modes of Failure (Stability Requirements) of a Gravity Dam

The gravity dam must be designed such that it is safe against all possible modes of failure.

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

There are four failure modes: -

1. Overturning Failure
2. Sliding Failure
3. Tension Failure
4. Crushing (or Compression) Failure

1- Overturning Failure
The dam may fail by overturning if the resultants of all the forces passes outside the base (or The
horizontal section). To check this situation there is a criteria which is called factor of safety against
overturning (F.S.O.).

:
, Its general value is between 1.5 to 2.5
;

Note: -
The failure of the dam by overturning is usually preceded by the failure due to developed of tension
cracks (tension failure) or due to crushing (compression failure).

2- Sliding Failure
The sliding occurs when the dam slides over its base or when a part of the dam lying above any horizontal
plane slides over that plane. For this failure the following
criteria should be checked.

# To resist sliding:

1- Stepped bed
2- Key wall at heel
 Factor of Safety against Sliding (F.S.S.)

∑
∑

Where is the coefficient of friction between the material above and below the horizontal section. Its

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

value (between concrete and concrete or concrete and good rock) generally varies between 0.65 and
0.75.

Note: -
In the above criteria, only friction is considered. Usually this is enough for small dam design, but for large
dams to insure economy another factor may be considered as follow:

 Shear Friction Factor (S.F.F.).

In S.F.F. both friction and shear strength of the materials are considered.

∑ +
∑
Where
b = Width of the dam at the horizontal section under consideration (cross-section area). At the base of the
dam it is equal to B.
q = Average shear strength of material at the horizontal section.

Notes about q values: -

 For a good rock generally varies from 1.4 to 5 Mpa.

 For concrete usually taken as (1/4) of the crushing strength.
 For preliminary design of gravity dam generally a value of 1.4 Mpa is taken.

As per USBR recommendations: -

S.F.F. ≥ 5 under normal condition. (without earthquake and with normal reservoir level)
S.F.F. ≥ 4 under unusual (extreme) condition. (max. flood level with earthquake)
For dams higher than 150 m, the S.F.F. is taken as follow: -
S.F.F. ≥ 4 under normal condition.
S.F.F. ≥ 3 under unusual (extreme) condition.
If F.S.S. is less than unity, it does not mean that the dam will fail due to sliding. In that case, the S.F.F.
should be determined. If the S.F.F. is within the safe limit, the dam is considered to be safe against sliding.

3- Tension Failure
It may occur in a gravity dam where the resultant strikes outside the middle third. It may develop cracks in
the dam which in turn leads to decrease the effective width of the dam. This causes the increasing of the

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

compressive stresses and uplift pressure force. Ultimately, a stage is reached when the crushing failure
occurs.

Notes: -
Tension crack by itself does not cause failure of the
dam but it leads to the failure of the dam by
4- Failure
crushing ordue to Crushing (or Compression)
by overturning.
Crushing failure of a gravity dam occurs when the
compressive stress in the dam or foundation excess the safe
limit. In gravity dam (also in its foundation), the stress is
usually determined by applying the theory of bending
combined with thrust (or eccentrically loaded short Reduced Width

columns). Thus, for unit length of the dam (column) the Crushing
Tension crack
normal stresses on horizontal plane ( ) is.

, ∑ , ∑ , * +, at both, the heel and the toe.

The normal stresses on horizontal plane at

toe ( ) and heel

∑
( )

# Principals & Shear Stresses: -

 Principal Stresses
Below the water surface both U/S and D/S faces are principal plains because there is no any shear forces
on them. So, the hydrostatic pressure on those planes are principal stresses (it may be major or minor
stresses). According to the principle of principal planes, any plane which is perpendicular to principal
plane is also principal plane. Thus any plane perpendicular to U/S or D/S face is principal plane and will
cross the dam body. To obtain the safe dam against crushing failure, major stress on those plane must be
calculated and compared to the strength of the dam material.
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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Note:- For toe the major principal stress ( 1 ) will occurs at reservoir full condition while the major
principal stress at the heel ( 1 ) will occurs at reservoir empty condition.

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 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

# Selection of dam cross section elements (free board, top width, u/s & d/s slopes)
1. Free board: -

The actual free board is usually kept as follow: -

ℎ +
Where ℎ is the height of the wave and it is computed according to the following eqs.
25
ℎ 3 √ + 3 3
ℎ 3 √ 3
Note :-
# For ℎ calculation take V= 120 km/h in the case of N.P.L. and take V = 80 km/h in the case of M.P.L.
# Select the ℎ which gives the higher reduced level of the top crest of the dam.
The additional safety provision generally various from 0.6 to 3m, depending upon the size of the reservoir,
the height of the dam, reliability of the flood computation, etc.
Notes:-
 The free board should not be less than 1.2 m in any case.

36
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

 Frost in the upper portion of the dam located in cold region may cause heaving and cracking of
soils. An additional free board allowance up to 1.5m should be provided for dams in regions
subjected to sub-zero temperatures.

# For modern practice the freeboard should be at least 3% to 4% of the height of dam.
2. Top Width.
 Most economical top width (without earthquake consideration) is about (0.14*H), where H is the
dam height.
 In practices, a road is usually provided at the top of the dam for which a min. width of 6 to 7m. is
usually recommended.
3. U/S & D/S Slopes.

1- For d/s slope from practical view of point take 1V : 0.7H as the min. d/s slope.
2- For u/s slope it depends on stability of the dam. Ranges from 5V : 1H to 25V : 1 H.

Example
For the following section of a gravity dam, examine the stability at the base. Also indicate the values of
various stresses which are developed at each of the heel and the toe. αh = 0.1,αv = 0.05.
Solution:
The stability analysis shall be carried out for two cases:
1. Assuming the reservoir is empty.
a. Vertical earthquake forces acting downward.
b. Vertical earthquake forces acting upward. (Homework).
2. Assuming the reservoir is full.
a. With uplift pressure.
b. Without uplift pressure. (Homework).

37
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

1/a Empty reservoir case with the vertical earthquake forces acting downward

Tabulating the calculations makes the solution easier.

Forces (t)
Forces acted Moments about the toe
Designaiton Lever arms (m)
by (t.m), (CCW+)
Vertical (↓+) Horizontal (←+)

W1 ⁄ 3 65 28080

Downward W2 59.5 89964

weight of the
dam W3 ⁄ 3 ⁄3 200704

W ∑ 1 3 ∑ 1 3 ,

Pw1 3 20 864

Horizontal Pw2 45 6804

earthquake
forces Pw3 3 3 ⁄3 14336

∑ 1 3 ∑ 2 ,

Vertical ∑ 1 ∑ 1
earthquake

38
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

forces 3 3 ,

∑ 2 3 ∑ 3 , 3

Summations ∑ ∑ ∑ 3 ∑ 3 ,

∑ 3 ,
̅
∑

ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ

∑
( ) ( ) ( )

( ) ⁄ 2 ( ) 3 ⁄ 2

( ) 3 ⁄ 2 ( ) ⁄ 2

Principal stress at the toe

2
1

;1 7
3
1

1 3 ⁄ 2 ⁄ 2

2
1

;1 1
1

1 ⁄ 2 3 ⁄ 2

Shear stress

3 ⁄ 2 ⁄ 2

⁄ 2 3 ⁄ 2

2/a Reservoir full with uplift pressure

First find the hydrodynamic force

According to Zanger :

39
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

1 2
[ ( )+( ( )) ]

3 ( )

( )

Since the U/S face inclination is more than (½H),

6 3 99
, 3 , 3 ( )
86 9

3 ⁄ 2
3 3
2 2
3 33

Forces (t) Lever

ame of force Designation arms Moments (t.m) (CCW+)
Vertical (↓+) Horizontal (←+) (m)

W1 65 28,080

W2 59.5 89,964
Weight of the
dam
W3 3 200,704
3

∑ 1 3 ∑ 1 3 ,

66 10,296

Weight of
67 12,060
water
supported on
U/S and D/S 1.4 17.64
slope

∑ 2 3 ∑ 2 ,3 3

U1 ( ) 34.5 -14,283

Uplift forces U2 ( ) 46 -126,960

∑ 3 3, ∑ 3 , 3

P ( ) 2 -106,009.33
3,
3
Horizontal
hydrostatic P’ 2 2 36
force

∑ 1 3, ∑ 4 , 3 33

Upward ( ) ∑ 1 ( ) ∑ 1
vertical

40
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

earthquake ( ) 3 ( ) 3 ,
forces
∑ 4 3 ∑ 5 , 3

Horizontal
hydrodynamic Pe ∑ 2 3 ∑ 6 33
force

PW1 1 3 20 -864

Horizontal PW2 2 45 -6,804

inertia forces
due to PW3 3 -14,336
3
earthquake 3

∑ 3 3 ∑ 7 ,

Summation of
∑ , ∑ ∑ ,
forces

∑ ,
̅ 3
∑ ,
̅ , ,

∑ ,
( ) ( ) ( )

( ) ⁄ 2 ( ) 3 ⁄ 2

( ) ⁄ 2 ( ) ⁄ 2

Principal stresses
2 ( ) 2
1 ( ) ( , )
3 ⁄ 2 3 ⁄ 2

2 ( ) 2
1 ( )
( 3) ⁄ 2 ⁄ 2

Shear stresses

[ ( ) ( )] ( )
( ) ⁄ 2 3 ⁄ 2

( )[ ( ) ( + )]
( )[ ( + 3)] ⁄ 2 3 ⁄ 2

41
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Factor of safety against overturning

∑ : 341121 64
∑ ; 29855 7 57

∑
∑
3

∑ + 2
P ( ⁄ )
∑
, +
3

Homework: Examine the stability of the above dam section if there are no seismic forces. Also calculate the
magnitude of maximum stresses.

# Design of Dam Section Depending on the Elementary Profile

The elementary profile of dam section takes the shape of water pressure distribution. When the reservoir full, the
base width is governed by:

• No Tension At The Heel: [moment about the outer middle third point =0

where the resultant should pass for no tension].

( ) [ ]
√ ;1
H/3
If there is no uplift

( ) [ ]
√
B/3
I. No Sliding

The frictional resistance µ∑V should be equal to ∑H

( ) [ ]
( ;1)

For no uplift

( ) [ ]
( )
LOW
DAM
Note: the value of B is the greater of the two values of eqs. (1) and (2)
LIMITING POINT
# High and Low Gravity Dam OFLOW DAM

The principal stresses calculated for an elementary profile is given by HIGH GRAVITY DAM
( + ) (3)

42
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

So the principal stress varies only with H. To avoid dam failure by crushing the value of σ should be less
than the compressive strength (f in t/m2) of dam material. When uplift is neglected

.............................................(4)
( :1)

If the height of a dam having an elementary profile of triangle, is more than that given by eq (4) the
maximum compressive stress will exceed the allowable value. In order to keep it safe, extra slope on the
u/s and d/s below the limiting height will be required as shown below:
If =300 t/m2 , h=300/1(2.4+1)=88 m

# Practical profile of low gravity dam

The elementary profile is a theoretical profile, practical consideration needs the following.
1. Providing a top width, 2- Providing free board

# Design of high dam

When the height of the dam exceeds 1 ( :1)

Then its upper height equal to H1 can be designed as low gravity dam
a top width
And its remaining height is designed by dividing it into
MWL
a number of stripsAs per the following formulas FB

2a√𝑆𝑠
given below [these formula derived to give 3.1a√𝑆𝑠
Economic section and keep the stresses within allowable limits].

2 √ * + + ( )
4

B1= Base width of low dam [at the top of 1st strip]. LOW
DAM
B2= Base width at the bottom of 1st strip.

H1= Height of the dam portion from MWL to the bottom of 1st strip. a/16

W1= Total vertical weight of dam and water above the top of1 strip. st B=H/√𝑆𝑠

W2= Total vertical weight of dam and water above the bottom of 1st strip.

X2= The increase in base width at the u/s side which is obtained by

MWL
LOW
DAM
H4 H3 H2 H1

B1 43

X2 1st strip
B2
X3 2nd strip
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

2 2 2 2 1
[3 1 2 + 2( 1 + 2) + 1 2] [ 1 + 2 ][ 2 3 2] [ 2]
3
Knowing B1 , B2, X2 the increase in the d/s side is equal to ( 2 1 2)

 Example
Design a concrete gravity dam for the following data; Max. allowable compression stress in concrete =
2
3 . Max reservoir level = 200 m, RL of dam bottom= 100 m, specific gravity of concrete= 2.4.
Solution
Take FB= 3 M, RL of the dam crest =200+3= 203 m.
The height of low gravity dam ( 1) ( :1)
3
( 1) 1(2 4:1)
ℎ ℎ ( ), ℎ ℎ ℎ .

The lower level of low dam= 200-88.2= 111.8 .

So from RL 200 to 111.8 designed as low G. D, and from 111.8 to 100 m designed as high G. D.

 Design of low gravity dam (from RL 200 – 111.8)

According to Fig. (3)

1. Top width ( ) √ .
3 28
88 2
2. Base width (B) 3 ( ).
√ √2 4
5 18
3. U/S projection from the vertical face =16 3
16

The total base width ( 1) 3+ 3

4. The U/S batter starts at a depth √ √ from the MWL
3m
and ends at 3 √ MWL at RL= 200
5.18
24.9 16.1

88.2
63.3

44
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

RL 111.8
 Design of the dam from RL 111.8 to 100
56.93 m
Divide the 11.8 m into 3 strips, the 1st strip= 3.8m 57.25m
and the others=4m each.
 Design the 1st strip
1 ℎ
RL 111.8 𝐵1 𝑚

3.8 𝐵2

1 [ 3 + 3 +0.5*8.03*5.18+ 𝑥2

63.3*0.32+0.5*8.8*0.32]+16.1*0.32+0.5*8.8*0.32=6171 tonnes
To compute 2 find a trial value for 2 as below
56 93
2 + 88 2
3

2 +
= 6171+533= 6704 tonnes.
The correct base width which keep the max. compressive stresses within allowable limits is

3 2 4 3 4
2 2
2 √ * + 2+
√ * + 2
+
2 3

54
(60.25-59.7=0.54m, 6 )
25

3 2 2
[3 + ( + )+ ]
2
[ + ][ 3 2] [ 2]
3
√ + 3
2
This will be at the u/s side to insure that no tension will occur at the toe when the reservior is impty.
The increase of d/s is 2 1 2

0.25 2.75
45

60.25m
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

 Design the 2nd strip using the same procedure

57 25:6 25
Corrected wt of 1st strip= ( ) 3 3
2

Total et at the base of the 1st strip ( 2) + 3 +( + 3 )

Depth of 2nd strip 2

3
3 + + + + 3
3

Approx. wt of 2nd strip

(92:96)
Approx. wt of water at the base 2nd strip 2

3 + + 3

3
3 ,

3 , d/s extension= 3.35 m

 Design the 3rd strip using the same procedure (homework).

==========================================================================

# Construction of gravity dam

There are two methods for constructing concrete gravity dams they are;
1. Convention Mass Concrete (CMC)
2. Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC)

Each method will explained later. Below are the step by step procedure to be adopted in the construction
of dams.
I. Diversion During Construction
The design for a dam that is to be constructed across a stream channel must consider diversion of the
stream-flow around or through the dam site during the construction period. The method, or scheme, of
diverting floods during construction depends on:

1. the magnitude of the flood to be diverted

46
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

2. the physical characteristics of the site

3. the type of dam to be constructed
4. the nature of the appurtenant works, such as the spillway, penstocks, or outlet works
5. the probable sequence of construction operations.

II. Preparing of foundation:

1. Remove all loose soil up to hard bed rock
2. By excavation, avoid damage of underlying soil
3. By faults, entirely excavated, washed, then filled with concrete or grouted.
III. Concrete Handling, Placing and Consolidation (CMC method)

The procedure to be adopted for moving concrete from the mixers on to the dam will be governed by site
conditions. The problem is to transport it to the dam with the least possible segregation or change in its
consistency so it may be compacted
uniformly into the dam without
unreasonable effort. The most suitable
ways to transport the concrete are:

1. Using cableways (with towers).

2. Using belt conveyer.

Fig.Three Tower Cableway

47
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

A. Formwork
Probably the most widely used lift is 1.5m, however, on large dams a height of 2.3-3.0m is frequently
used. With the larger lifts there are fewer movements of forms and fewer horizontal lift surfaces to be
cleaned.

Fig. The placing of a low-slump concrete, four layers in 2.3m lift

B. Cooling of Concrete

Temperature rise, which will depend upon the heat of hydration of the cement, the quantity of cement per
cubic meter, the concrete placing temperature and the rate of construction

a- Precooling

 Cooling of aggregate by flushing with cold water.

 Replacing mix water with flaked/crushed ice.

48
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

 Cooling the aggregate and use ice in mix water can reduce placement temperatures up to 20F.

b- Postcooling

 Post-Cooling utilizes cold water flowing through pipes embedded into the concrete. This helps to
transfer heat from the core, and reduce the temperature differential
 Post-Cooling utilizes cold water flowing through pipes embedded into the concrete. This helps to
transfer heat from the core, and reduce the temperature differential

C. Amount and Type of Cement.

Mass concrete structures require lesser amounts of cement than the ordinary size concrete structures
because of a lower strength requirement. Type II cement is commonly referred to as modified cement, and
is used where a relatively low heat generation is desirable. Pozzolans are used in concrete as a replacement
for part of the Portland cement because pozzolans develop heat of hydration at a much lower rate than do
portland cements.
D. Aggregate Content.
Coarse Aggregate should be have an MSA of 6 in if possible. A Higher coarse aggregate content
(70-85%) can be used to lower the cement content, reducing temperature rise.
IV. Joints in the Dam Structures
 Transverse joints
In order to control the formation of cracks in mass concrete dams, the dam is constructed in blocks
separated by transverse contraction joints. These contraction joints are vertical and normally extend
from the foundation to the top of the dam. Transverse joints are normal to the axis of the dam and
are continuous from the upstream face to the downstream face. The space between joints is 15-60
m.

49
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

Contraction
joints

Gallery

 Longitudinal joints
The longitudinal contraction joints are also vertical and parallel to the axis of the dam. The joints are
staggered a minimum of 8 m at the transverse joints.

50
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

V. Water stops

51
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

VI. Galleries
gallery is an opening within the dam that provides access into or through the dam. Galleries may run either
transversely or longitudinally and may be either horizontal or on a slope. Where used as a connecting
passageway between other galleries or to other features such as power plants, elevators, and pump
chambers, the gallery is usually called an adit. Where a gallery isenlarged to permit the installation of
equipment, it is called a chamber or vault.

 Purpose of gallery
1. To provide a drainage-way for water percolating through the upstream face or seeping through the
foundation.
2. To provide space for drilling and grouting the foundation.
3. To provide space for headers and equipment used in artificially cooling the concrete blocks and grouting
contraction joints.
4. To provide access to the interior of the structure for observing its behavior after completion.
5. To provide access to, and room for, mechanical and electrical equipment such as that used for the
operation of gates in the spillways and outlet works.
6. To provide access through the dam for control cables and/or power cables.
7. To provide access routes for visitors.

52
DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

53
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

# Construction of concrete dams using Roller Compacted concrete (RCC).

Roller compacted concrete (RCC) is a concrete compacted by roller compaction. Thus RCC differs from
conventional concrete principally in its consistency requirement. For effective consolidation, the concrete
mixture must be dry enough to prevent sinking of the vibratory roller equipment but wet enough to permit
adequate distribution of the binder mortar in concrete during the mixing and vibratory compaction
operations.

 Advantages
1. Costs: Depending on the complexity of the structure, RCC costs 25% to 50% less than conventional
concrete.
2. Rapid Construction: For large projects, RCC dams can be finished 1 to 2 years earlier compared to
regular mass concrete dams.
3. Spillways: Compared to embankment dams which normally require that spillways be constructed in
an abutment, RCC dams offer the attractive and cost-effective alternative of constructing the
spillway in the main structure of the dam
4. Cement consumption is lower because much leaner concrete mixtures can be used.
5. Formwork costs are lower because of the layer placement method.
6. Pipe cooling is unnecessary because of the low temperature rise.
7. Cost of transporting, placement, and compaction of concrete is lower, because concrete can be
hauled by end dump trucks; spread by bulldozers and compacted by vibratory rollers.
54
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

8. The dam is capable of passing floods during construction by over-topping without damage.
9. RCC dams commonly have a lower cost than the equivalent fill dams when the saving in cost of
diversions and spillways are taken into account.
 Sequence of placement

55
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

 Materials – Cement

The consolidation by a roller does not require special cements; however, when RCC is to be used in mass
concrete, the recommendation of selecting cements with lower heat generation should be followed.

 Mineral admixtures

Mineral admixtures are used extensively in RCC mixtures. The use of large amounts of mineral admixtures
reduces both the adiabatic temperature rise of concrete and costs, and improves durability. In the United
States, Class F fly ash is the most common mineral admixture used in dams, however, in other parts of the
world Class C fly ash , slag , and natural pozzolana have also been used.

 Chemical Admixtures
 water-reducing admixtures are used in RCC compositions that contains higher volume of paste.
 Set-retarding admixtures are used in hot regions to extend the time up to which the concrete lift
should remain unhardened, reducing the risk of cold joints with the subsequence lift.
 Aggregates

Aggregates greater than 76 mm in diameter (3 in.) are seldom used in RCC because they can cause
problems in spreading, compacting and Segregation the layer .
The size of coarse aggregate has a significant influence on the degree of compaction in small layers. This
influence is less marked in relatively thicker layers specially when large vibratory rollers are employed.
The use of material finer than 75 mm (No.200mesh sieve) produces a more cohesive mixture by reducing
the volume of voids. So such materials can be exist in RCC dams in larger quantity than in conventional
concrete.

56
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

 Mix design

The mixture design for Shimajigawa Dam in Japan used conventionally graded 3 inch maximum size
aggregate (MSA) with (130kg/ 3 ) cementitious materials.(cement + fly ash). Below some examples of
other used mix design.

 Laboratory tests

RCC is a zero-slump concrete whose properties are strongly dependent on the mixture proportions and on
the quality of compaction. Concrete is consolidated in the field using vibrating rollers. The consistency of
the mix is determined by modified vebe test.

Figure: Vebe apparatus

 Thermal properties
 The adiabatic temperature rise of RCC is similar to conventional mass concrete mixtures and
depends on the amount and type of cementitious material used in the mixture.
 The specific heat, conductivity, and coefficient of thermal expansion are function of the type and
amount of aggregate used in the mixture.

57
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

 Contraction joints may be required to avoid thermal cracks. Below some methods to develop
contraction joints in an RCC dam.

 Permeability

The coefficient of permeability of RCC is a critical parameter for long-term performance of dams,
particularly if no impermeable membrane has been used at the upstream face of the dam. The construction
process of RCC generates porous zones between the lifts where water can percolate. Depending on the
mixture proportions and construction process, the coefficient of permeability can very over 8 orders of
magnitude.

 Lift thickness
 The success of a RCC dam is often contingent on the correct selection of lift thickness, which
depends on the mixture proportions and on the equipment available.
 If the lift is too thin, the placement rates will be small, thereby reducing the advantages of using
RCC.
 If the lift is too thick, the compaction will not be adequate, creating horizontal layers of higher
porosity, thereby compromising the strength and durability of the structure.

58
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I

 Normally, the thickness of the lifts ranges from 0.15 to 0.90 m; in the U.S. a lift thickness of 0.3 m
is often used. For thicker lift it is better to be placed in multiple layer then compacted in order to
avoid segregation.

 Compaction
 Compaction of the lift should be performed as soon as possible, typically within 10 minutes after
spreading and no more than 40 minutes after mixing for mixture temperatures between 10 and 27.
 Once adequate compaction is achieved, good curing conditions for the finished surface are
essential; the surface should be kept in a moistened condition until the next lift is placed.
 Horizontal Joint forming
 The dry consistency of RCC results in difficulty in bonding fresh concrete to hardened concrete.
This bond can be improved between the lifts by reducing the time of casting the lifts or by
increasing the paste content in the mixture or using mortar or bedding for cold joint (after 24 hrs
approximately).
 Typically, bedding mixtures contain 360 to 460 kg/m3 of cement, 170 to 220 kg/m3 of fly ash, and
4.75-mm maximum size aggregate.

59
DAMS ENGINEERING PART I INTRODUCTION

Arch Dams
It is a dam curved in plan which carries a major parts of the water load horizontally to the abutments by arch action.
The remainder of the water load is transferred to the foundation by cantilever action, as in the case of a gravity dam.

Fig.Kariba Arch Dam -128m Height-579m Crest length. Completed in 1959. It is on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe

# Types of Arch Dams

1. Single curvature arch dams
a. Constant-radius arch dams: It is used for U-shaped valleys and have vertical US face, constant extrados
radii for U-shaped valley suitable to install gates at the US face.
b. Constant-angle arch dams: It is used for V-shaped valleys, have curved US face, no possibility for gate
installment.
c. Variable-radius arch dams.

60
DAMS ENGINEERING PART I INTRODUCTION

2. Double–Curvature arch dams (or Cupola arch or shell arch dam).

61
DAMS ENGINEERING PART I INTRODUCTION

Fig. Katse Double Curvature Concrete Arch Dam-185m height- 710m along the Crest. Started from February 1990 and completed

in May 1997---- South Africa.

Fig. Katse Double Curvature Arch Dam-185m height 710m along the Crest.

3. Arch gravity dams.

62
DAMS ENGINEERING PART I INTRODUCTION

Fig. Hoover Arch-Gravity Dam 221m height- 379m Crest length- 201m thick at the base and about 14m thick at the Crest (Top
width-Roadway) Highest concrete arch dam in USA.

# Forces Acting on an Arch Dam

1. Water pressure force.

2. Yielding of Supports (Abutments).
3. Temperature Change.
4. Ice pressure force.
5. Weight of the dam.
6. Uplift pressure force (negligibly small).
7. Silt Pressure force.
8. Earthquake pressure.

# Methods for Design of Arch Dams

1. Thin Cylinder Theory.

2. Thick Cylinder Theory.
3. Elastic arch Theory.
4. Trail Load.
5. Shell Theory.
6. Finite element methods.

63
DAMS ENGINEERING PART I INTRODUCTION

# Thin Cylinder Theory

In this theory, it is assumed that the horizontal section of the arch dam is a part of thin cylinder of the same
radius, and the entire water load (hydrostatic pressure) is carried horizontally by the arch action (cantilever
action is absent). Because the cylindrical element is assumed to be thin, the stress distribution across the
thickness is uniform.

The total hydrostatic pressure force (PH), is

PH = P * [2 sin(θ/2)] = h * [2 sin(θ/2)]

=2 h sin(θ/2)

Where

PH= Intensity of pressure × Projected area normal to the direction of PH .

= Extrados radius of the arch ring.
θ = Central Angle of the dam.
P = Intensity of water pressure.
h = Depth of headwater from the reservoir water surface.
The PH is resisted by the reaction at the abutments (R). Therefore, from the equilibrium in the u/s direction:

-2R sin (θ/2) = 2 h sin(θ/2)

Or R= h ……………..(1)
But R = Stress *Area = f * t * 1
64
DAMS ENGINEERING PART I INTRODUCTION

Or R=f*t ……………..(2)
f = compression stress developed in the arch ring and
t = thickness of the arch ring.
Substitute eq.(2) in eqn.(1),

…………..(3)

For safe design of the arch ring, the compressive stress ( should not exceed the allowable stress in
compression for the material of the arch ring. Thus

( )

( )

( )
; 5

ℎ
( )
ℎ
Where = mean radius of the arch ring, = intrados radius of the arch ring.
Notes:-
1- This method is quite approximate and it can be used for small dam.
2- It is quite useful for the preliminary design of the arch dams (small, intermediate, and large).

Example 1
Design a constant angle arch dam for a valley of 40 m at bottom and 240 m at 100 m above 2.44

the bottom, the height of the dam is 100 m choose an angle of 3 as it gives an economy 4.53

arch dam, take 6.25

Solution 7.57

100.0
The top arch has a chord of 240 m, the central angle = 3 8.46

⁄2 24 8.90

2 67
3 ( )
8.86

ℎ 8.27
( )
ℎ

Depth (m) L (m) (m) from eq.(1) t (m) from eq.(2) 5.44

0 240 130.5 3 0 130.6

10 220 119.7 3 2.44 122.1
20 200 108.8 3 4.53 113.3
30 180 97.9 3 6.25 104.2
40 160 87.0 3 7.57 94.6
65
DAMS ENGINEERING PART I INTRODUCTION

50 140 76.2 3 8.46 84.6

60 120 65.3 3 8.9 74.2
70 100 54.4 3 8.86 63.3
80 80 43.5 3 8.27 51.8
90 60 32.6 3 7.17 39.8
100 40 21.8 3 5.44 27.2

Example 2
Design a constant radius arch dam for a valley 100 m at the base and 150 m at a height of 100 m above the base,
The height of the dam =100 m.

Solution
1.94
The top arch angle as is taken as a controlling factor
3.94

⁄
5.94 ,
Depth (m) L (m) (m) (m) ⁄
7.94
0 150 80 0 80 69.6 139.2
10 145 80 2 78 64.9 129.8 100.00
20 140 80 4 76 61 122.0 10.00 75
7
30 135 80 6 74 57 114.0
40 130 80 8 72 54.3 108.6 12.00
50 125 80 10 70 51.2 102.4
60 120 80 12 68 48.6 97.2 14.00 The
70 115 80 14 66 45.9 91.8 extr
80 110 80 16 64 43.4 86.8 16.00 ado
90 105 80 18 62 40.9 81.8 s of
100 100 80 20 60 38.7 77.4 18.06
all
arches is kept as 80 m.
20.00
Buttress Dams

It consists of a sloping upstream membrane (or small arches) supported by a number of buttress located at right
angles to the axis of the dam.

66
 DAMS ENGINEERING PART I INTRODUCTION

# Component parts of a buttress dam

1. Sloping membrane (Deck Slab)

2. Buttress
3. Footings (Foundation)
4. Lateral braces (struts)
5. Haunch or Corbel
6. Cut-off

# Types of Buttress Dam

I. Deck slab type

a. Freely supported
b. Fixed supported
c. Cantilever supported
II. Columnar type
III. Truss type
IV. Multiple arch type
V. Multiple dome type
VI. Massive head type
a. Round head
b. Diamond head
c. Tee head
VII. Hybrid type

Deck slab type

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Freely supported

Fixed supported

Cantilever supported

Multiple arch t

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Massive head type

Round head

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Diamond head

Tee head

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# Forces Acting on a Buttress Dam

1. Weight of the dam (it is the main stability force

2. Uplift pressure force (it is not the major force)
3. Water pressure force (its vertical component is quite large compared to that in a gravity dam)
4. Ice pressure force (it is not important for a buttress dam)
5. Wind pressure force
6. Wave Pressure force
7. Silt Pressure force
8. Earthquake

Note:-

In the buttress dam, the forces are calculated per buttress unit instead of per unit length as in the gravity dams.

# Deck Slab Type Buttress Dams

It is also called the Ambursen type of dam after Nils F. Ambursen, who built the first deck slab type buttress dam in
1903. In this type, the deck slab consists of a reinforced concrete slab supported by a series of buttresses. The
inclination of the slab usually between 35˚ to 45˚ with the horizontal.

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# Stability Requirement of the Buttress

 Stability against overturning and tension :- the dam is usually safe against overturning if the resultant falls within
the middle third of the base (or section).
 Stability against sliding.
 Stability against buckling:- The buttress to be safe against buckling, the following criteria should be satisfied.

i. Column ratio = Slenderness ratio =

= 12 to 15 for low buttress dam (if no lateral supports are provided)

= 7 to 10 for high buttress dam (lateral supports should be provided)

ii. Massive factor = 3

 Reinforcement in buttresses:- Shrinkage and temperature cracks tend to develop in the buttress near the base
where it is rigidly attached to the foundation. These cracks can be controlled by the proper use of temperature
reinforcement or by the construction joints, or by a combination of the two.
 Overall width of buttress: - The sum of the u/s and d/s slopes generally varies between 0.8:1 to 1.25:1. The usual
d/s slope is between 75 to 90 with the horizontal. Generally, the overall base width of the buttress varies
between 1.2 and 1.5 times the height of the dam.

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