DAMS

ENGR. LEMUEL JASPER S. BADAJOS

DAMS
DAMS ARE STRUCTURES THAT BLOCK THE FLOW OF A RIVER,
STREAM, OR OTHER WATERWAY. SOME DAMS DIVERT THE
FLOW OF RIVER WATER INTO PIPE, CANAL, OR CHANNEL.
OTHERS RAISE THE LEVEL OF INLAND WATERWAYS TO MAKE
THEM NAVIGABLE BY SHIPS AND BARGES. MANY DAMS
HARNESS THE ENERGY OF FALLING WATER TO GENERATE
ELECTRIC POWER. DAMS ALSO HOLD WATER FOR DRINKING
AND CROP IRRIGATION AND PROVIDE FLOOD CONTROL.
ANALYSIS OF GRAVITY DAM
STEPS:
Step 1
Consider 1 unit length (1 m length) of dam perpendicular to
the cross section.
Step 2
Determine all the forces acting:
ANALYSIS OF GRAVITY DAM
STEPS:
Step 3
Solve for the reaction

Step 4
Moment about the toe
ANALYSIS OF GRAVITY DAM
SAMPLE PROBLEM
A dam is triangular in cross section with the upstream face vertical. Water is flushed with top. The
dam is 8m high and 6 m wide at the base and weighs 2.4 tons per cubic meter. The coefficient of
friction between the base and the foundation is 0.8. determine:

a) The maximum and the minimum unit pressure on the foundation

b) The factor of safety against overturning and against sliding

SAMPLE PROBLEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM
In the figure, find the width b of the
concrete dam necessary to prevent the
dam from sliding. The specific gravity of
concrete is 2.4 and the coefficient of
friction between the base of the dam
and the foundtion is 0.4. Use 1.5 as the
factor of safety against sliding. Is dam
also safe from overturning?
SAMPLE PROBLEM
SAMPLE PROBLEM
 Sample problem:
A gravity dam of trapezoidal cross section with one face vertical and horizontal base is
22 m high and has a thickness of 4m at the top. Water upstream stands 2m below
the crest of the dam. The specific gravity of masonry is 2.4.

A. Neglecting hydrostatic uplift:

1. Find the base width B of the dam so that the resultant force will cut the extreme
edge of the middle third near the toe.

2. Compute the factors of safety against sliding and overturning. Use μ= 0.5.

B. Considering uplift pressure to vary uniformly from full hydrostatic pressure at the
heel to zero at the toe.

1. Find the base width B of the dam so that the resultant force will act at the
extremity of the middle third near toe.

2. Compute the maximum and minimum compressive stresses acting against the
base of the dam.
Sample problem:
Sample problem:
Sample problem:
Sample problem:
 Sample problem:
The section of a concrete gravity dam shown in the figure. The depth of
water at the upstream side is 6 m. neglect hydrostatic uplift and use unit
weight of concrete equal to 23.5 kN/m3. coefficient of friction between
the base of the dam and the foundation is 0.6. determine the following

a) Factor of safety against sliding

b) Factor of safety against overturning

c) The overturning moment acting against the dam in kN-m.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you
ask for in prayer, believe that you
have received it, and it will be
yours.

-MARK 11:24