Presented to:

SIR ABID LATIF

Presented by:

KHURRAM HASNAIN
 A dam is a hydraulic structure of fairly
impervious material built across a
river or a stream to retain the water.
 It prevents the flow of water and
accumulates it in a deep storage
reservoir.
 Irrigation
 Power generation

 Water supply

 Flood control

 Navigation

 Recreation
Upstream Crest Down stream
MWL (Max. water level)

Spillway
(inside dam)
NWL (Normal water level)

Free board

Sluice way
Gallery

Heel Toe
 Heel: contact with the ground on the upstream side.
 Toe: contact on the downstream side.
 Abutment: Sides of the valley on which the structure of the
dam rest.
 Galleries: small rooms like structure left within the dam for
checking operations.
 Spillways: It is the arrangement near the top to release the
excess water of the reservoir to downstream side.
 Sluice way: An opening in the dam near the ground level,
which is used to clear the silt accumulation in the reservoir
side.
Dams are classified according to several
considerations as indicated below.

1 • Based on dam function

2 • Based on material construction

3 • Based on hydraulic behavior

4 • Based on structural behavior

 1 • BASED ON DAM FUNCTION
Debris dams: A debris dam is constructed to retain debris
such as sand, gravel, and drift wood flowing in the river with
water.
Storage dams: They are constructed to store water during
the rainy season when there is a large flow in the river.
Water is stored for later use in dry season.
Coffer dams: A coffer dam is a temporary dam constructed
to divert water for facilitating construction.
Diversion dams: A diversion dam is constructed for the
purpose of diverting water of the river into an off-taking
canal (or a conduit).
Detention dams: A detention dam retards the flow in the
river on its downstream during floods by storing some flood
water.
2 • BASED ON MATERIAL CONSTRUCTION
Rigid Dam: It is constructed with rigid material such as
stone, masonry, concrete, steel, or timber. Steel dams and
timber dams are constructed only for small heights.

Non-rigid Dam: It is constructed with non-rigid material

such as earth, tailings, rockfill etc.
 Earthen dam – gravel, sand, silt, clay etc.
 Tailings dam – waste or refuse obtained from mines
 Rockfill dam – rock material supporting a water tight
material on the u/s face.
3 • BASED ON HYDRAULIC BEHAVIOR
Overflow Dam: It is constructed with a crest to permit
overflow of surplus water that cannot be retained in the
reservoir. (e.g. Nolichucky Dam USA)
Non-Overflow Dam: It is constructed such that water
is not allowed to overflow over its crest.
(e.g. Kurobe Dam JAPAN)
4 • BASED ON STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR

EMBANKMENT DAM
GRAVITY DAM
BUTTRESS DAM
ARCH DAM
 EMBANKMENT DAM
 It is a non-rigid dam which
resists the forces acting on it by
its shear strength and upto some
extent by its own weight
 Earth dams are constructed
where the foundation or the
underlying material are weak to
support the masonry dam.
 They are trapezoidal in shape
and mainly built with clay, sand
and gravel, hence they are also
known as Earth fill dam or Rock
fill dam.
Embankment Earthfill
Turbela Dam Pakistan

Embankment Earthfill
Mica Dam Canada
Embankment Rockfill
Mohale Dam Africa

Embankment Rockfill
Gathright Dam Virjinia
 GRAVITY DAM
 It is a masonry or concrete dam
which resists the forces acting on
it by its own weight.
 These dams are heavy and
massive wall-like structures of
concrete in which the whole
weight acts vertically downwards.
Its c/s is approximately triangular
in shape.
 As the entire load is transmitted
on the small area of foundation,
such dams are constructed where
rocks are competent and stable.
Gravity Dam Grand
Coulee Dam Washington

Gravity Dam Bhakra-

Nangal-Dam India
 BUTTRESS DAM
 It is a masonry or concrete dam
which resists the forces acting on
it by series of structural supports
called buttresses.
 Buttresses transmit force from
wall of dam to wider area of
ground. These buttresses are in
the form of triangular or multiple
arch masonry or reinforced
concrete walls.
 This type of structure can be
considered even if the foundation
rocks are little weaker.
Buttress Multiple Arch
Bartlett Dam Arizona US

Buttress Multiple Arch

Daniel Johnson Dam
Canada
 ARCH DAM
 It is a curved masonry or concrete
dam, convex upstream, which
resists the forces acting on it by
arch action.
 Arch dams are built across narrow
and deep river, this shape helps to
transmit the major part of the
water load to the abutments. So
this shape requires strong
abutments.
 Arch dams are cheaper dams,
because they give good strength
with less material required.
Arch Dam Ataturk Dam
Turkey

Arch Gravity Dam

Hoover Dam USA
Gravity dams are rigid concrete dams which ensure
stability against all loads by virtue of their weight
alone. They transfer all the loads to the foundation
and hence are built when the foundation is strong
rock. A typical section of a gravity dam is shown.
 Following are forces acting on
Gravity Dam
1) Water Pressure
2) Weight of the Dam
3) Uplift Pressure
4) Silt Pressure
5) Wave Pressure
6) Ice Pressure
7) Earthquake Pressure
1) Water Pressure

 It is the major external force acting on a dam.

 The water pressure on the upstream face
depends on the water surface level in the
reservoir and acts horizontally. In case the dam
has a batter in the upstream side, the load of
water over the batter is also present and acts
vertically.
1) Water Pressure
 The horizontal water pressure acts at a height of H/3
𝒘 𝑯𝟐
from base of the dam, and is given by 𝑷𝟏 =
𝟐
 The vertical water pressure acts on the length ‘b’ portion
of the base. This vertical pressure is given by
𝒃
𝑷𝟐 = 𝒘 × 𝒉𝟐 × 𝒃 + (𝒘 × 𝒉𝟏 × )
𝟐
1) Water Pressure
Similarly, the water pressure on the downstream face is
due to the tail water and acts horizontally while the weight
of water on the downstream face acts vertically.
2) Weight of the Dam
 Weight of the dam is the major resisting force.
 Total weight of the dam acts at the center of
gravity of its section. Unit length of the dam is
considered in the calculation of weight.

W = W1 + W2 + W3
3) Uplift Pressure
 Uplift pressure is the
pressure exerted by
water as it seeps
through the body of the
dam or its foundation.
 Seeping water exerts
pressure on the base of
the dam and it depends
upon water head.
𝒘𝑯×𝑩
 Uplift pressure is given by 𝑷𝒖 =
𝟐
4) Silt Pressure

 Sediment deposition in the reservoir results in a force

acting horizontally on the upstream face. This force is
assumed to have a hydrostatic distribution.
𝜸𝒔 𝑯𝟐 × 𝑲𝒂
 Silt Pressure is given by 𝑷𝒔 =
𝟐
acting at H/3 from
base.
5) Wave Pressure
 Waves are generated on the surface of the reservoir by
the blowing winds, which exert a pressure on the
upstream side. Wave pressure depends upon wave
height, and is given by the equation 𝑷𝑾 = 𝟐. 𝟒 𝜸𝒘 𝒉𝑾 × 𝟓 𝒉𝑾
𝟑
𝟐 𝟑
acting at 𝒉𝑾 above the reservoir surface.
𝟖
6) Ice Pressure
 The ice which may be formed on the water surface of
the reservoir in cold countries may sometimes melt and
expand. The dam face is subjected to the thrust exerted
by the expanding ice.

7) Earthquake Pressure
 Earthquakes impart a horizontal as well as a vertical
acceleration to the dam and the stored water. This
results in additional forces, both in the horizontal and
vertical directions. Horizontal and vertical “seismic
coefficients” are used to appropriately modify these
forces to account for the effect of earthquakes.
1) Overturning
 If the moments of the destabilizing forces (such as water
pressure on the upstream face and uplift) about the toe
of the dam exceed those of the stabilizing forces (mainly
the weight of the dam), the dam can overturn.
 If the resultant force cuts the base within the body of
dam there will be no overturning.
 For safety against overturning.
𝜮 𝑴𝑹
F.O.S = ≥ 1.5
𝜮 𝑴𝑫
2) Sliding
 A gravity dam may fail in sliding at any
horizontal plane if the sum of the actuating
horizontal forces above that plane is less than
the resistive forces.
 For safety against sliding
𝜮 𝑭𝑽
F.O.S = µ × >1
𝜮 𝑭𝑯
Where µ = coefficient of static earth pressure
= 0.65 to 0.75
3) Normal Stress
 In order to calculate the normal stress distribution at the
base, or at any section, let 𝜮 𝑭𝑯 be the total horizontal
force, 𝜮 𝑭𝑽 be the total vertical force and R be the
resultant force cutting the base at an eccentricity e from
the center of the base of width (b), which is equal to
b/2 − x where x is the distance of the resultant force R
from the toe given by

𝜮 𝑴𝑹 − 𝜮 𝑴𝑫
𝑿=
𝜮 𝑭𝑽
3) Normal Stress
The normal stress at any point on the base will be the sum
of the direct stress and the bending stress. hence the total
𝜮 𝑭𝑽 𝟔𝒆
normal stress 𝑷𝒏 is given by 𝑷𝒏 = 𝟏∓
𝒃 𝒃

The positive sign will be used for calculating normal stress

at the toe, since the bending stress will be compressive
there, and negative sign will be used for calculating normal
stress at the heel.
𝜮 𝑭𝑽 𝟔𝒆
Thus, the normal stress at the toe is 𝑷𝒏 = 𝟏+
𝒃 𝒃
𝜮 𝑭𝑽 𝟔𝒆
and the normal stress at the heel is 𝑷𝒏 = 𝟏−
𝒃 𝒃
Normal Stress Distribution Under
The Base Of Dam
 Principal stresses
 The principal stresses are given as
 At the toe of the dam is
σ = 𝑷𝒏 sec² β
 At the heel of the dam is
σ = 𝑷𝒏 sec² α – 𝑷 tan² α
Where
𝑷𝒏 = normal stress
𝑷 = wh = intensity of water pressure
 Shear stresses
 The shear stresses are given as
 At the toe of the dam
τ = 𝑷𝒏 tan β
 At the heel of the dam
τ = - (𝑷𝒏 - 𝑷) tan α
Where
𝑷𝒏 = normal stress
𝑷 = wh = intensity of water pressure
 FLOW CHART
1) Consider unit length of the dam.

2) Calculate the vertical forces:

Weight of the dam,
Weight of water acting on inclined faces,
Uplift force.

find sum of these vertical forces (𝜮 𝑭𝑽 )

 FLOW CHART
3) Find out the sum of horizontal forces:
Horizontal component of the water pressure is
P = w h² / 2
Find water pressure on both U/S and D/S side

Find moment due to various forces at the toe

 FLOW CHART
4) Calculate
Disturbing moments (taken as -ive)
and
Resisting moments (taken as +ive)

And also find their algebraic sum

𝜮 𝑴 = 𝜮 𝑴𝑹 − 𝜮 𝑴𝑫
 FLOW CHART
5) Check safety against overturning
𝜮 𝑴𝑹
F.O.S = ≥ 1.5
𝜮 𝑴𝑫

6) Check safety against sliding

𝜮 𝑭𝑽
F.O.S = µ × >1
𝜮 𝑭𝑯
 FLOW CHART
7) Calculate the shear friction factor.
In large dams, shear strength of joint should
also be considered. Factor of safety in that
case is known as shear friction factor.
µ 𝜮 𝑭𝑽 +𝒃𝒒
S.F.F =
𝜮 𝑭𝑯

b = width of the joint

q = shear strength of the joint (14 kg/cm2)
 FLOW CHART
8) Find out the location (i.e. distance x) of
resultant force from the toe.
𝜮 𝑴𝑹 − 𝜮 𝑴𝑫
𝑿=
𝜮 𝑭𝑽

9) Find out eccentricity e of the resultant from

the center.
e = b/2 – x
where b = base width of the dam
 FLOW CHART
10) Find the normal stress at the toe.
𝜮 𝑭𝑽 𝟔𝒆
𝑷𝒏 = 𝟏+
𝒃 𝒃

(compressive stress is taken as positive)

11) Find the normal stress at the heel.

𝜮 𝑭𝑽 𝟔𝒆
𝑷𝒏 = 𝟏−
𝒃 𝒃

(tensile stress is taken as negative)

 FLOW CHART
12) Find out principal stress at the toe
σ = 𝑷𝒏 sec² β

13) Find out principal stress at the heel

σ = 𝑷𝒏 sec² α – 𝑷 tan² α
Where
𝑷𝒏 = normal stress
𝑷 = wh = intensity of water pressure
 FLOW CHART
14) Find out shear stress at toe.
τ = 𝑷𝒏 tan β

15) Find out shear stress at the heel

τ = - (𝑷𝒏 - 𝑷) tan α
Where
𝑷𝒏 = normal stress
𝑷 = wh = intensity of water pressure
EXAMPLE
Question # 01: A masonry dam 10m high
is trapezoidal section with a top width of
1m and a bottom width of 8.25m. The
face exposed to the water has a batter of
1:10. Test the stability of the dam. Find
out the principal stresses at the toe and
heel of the dam. Assume unit weight of
masonry as 2240 Kg/m³, w for water =
1000 Kg/m³ and permissible shear stress
of joint = 14 Kg/cm2.
 SOLUTION
1) Consider unit length of
the dam i.e. 1m

2) Vertical forces:
a) self weight of the dam
WD = [(½ × 1 × 10) +
(½× 6.25 × 10) +
(1× 10)] ×1× 2240
= 103600 kg
b) weight of water in column
AA’B
WW = (½×1×10) × 1 ×1000
= 5000 kg
c) Uplift pressure
WU=(½×8.25×10)×1×1000
= 41250 kg
𝜮 𝑭𝑽 = 103600+5000–41250

= 67350 kg
3) Horizontal water pressure
∑H = wh²/2 = 1000 × 100 / 2
= 50,000 kg
Moment due to various forces at the toe
a) Due to self weight of the
dam
= {( ½ ×1×10×2240)
(1+6.25+1/3)} +
{( 1×10×2240)
(6.25+0.5)} +
{( ½×6.25×10×2240)
(2/3×6.25)}
= 527800 kg-m (+ ive)
Moment due to various forces at the toe
b) Due to column of
water in AA’B
= (½×10×1×1000)
(8.25 – 1/3)
= 39583 kg-m (+ive)
c) Due to uplift force
=(½×8.25×10×1000)
(2/3×8.25)
= 226875 kg-m (-ive)
Moment due to various forces at the toe
d) Due to horizontal
water pressure
=1000 × 100/2 × 10/3
= 166,700 kg-m (-ive)

∑M = 527800 + 39583 – 226875 – 166700

= 567383 – 339575
= 227808 kg-m
5) Check safety against overturning
𝜮 𝑴𝑹 𝟓𝟔𝟕𝟑𝟖𝟑
F.O.S = =
𝜮 𝑴𝑫 𝟑𝟑𝟗𝟓𝟕𝟓

= 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕 ≥ 1.5 ………(O.K)

6) Check safety against sliding

𝜮 𝑭𝑽 𝟎.𝟕𝟓 × 𝟔𝟑𝟕𝟓𝟎
F.O.S = µ × =
𝜮 𝑭𝑯 𝟓𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎

= 1.01 > 1 ………(O.K)

7) Shear friction factor
µ 𝜮 𝑭𝑽 +𝒃𝒒 0.75×67350+8.25×14×10^4
S.F.F = = 50,000
𝜮 𝑭𝑯

= 24.11
8) The resultant acts at a distance x from toe

𝜮𝑴 227808
𝑿= = = 3.38
𝜮 𝑭𝑽 67350
9) Eccentricity e from the center is

e = b/2 – x = 8.25/2 – 3.38 = 0.74

10) Compressive stress at the toe
𝜮 𝑭𝑽 𝟔𝒆
𝑷𝒏 = 𝟏+
𝒃 𝒃
= 67350/8.25 {1 + (6×0.74)/8.25}
= 12560 kg/m²

11) Compressive stress at the heel

𝜮 𝑭𝑽 𝟔𝒆
𝑷𝒏 = 𝟏−
𝒃 𝒃
= 67350/8.25 {1 - (6×0.74)/8.25}
= 3770 kg/m²
12) principle stress at the toe
σ = 𝑷𝒏 sec² β

sec β =1/(10/11.792)
=1.179
σ = 𝑷𝒏 sec² β
= 12560×(1.39)
= 17460 kg/m²
13) principle stress at the heel
σ = 𝑷𝒏 sec² α – 𝑷 tan² α
Sec α = 1/(10/10.05)=1.005
tan α = 1 / 10 = 0.1

σ = 𝑷𝒏 sec² α – 𝑷 tan² α
= 3770×1.01
- (1000×1×10)×0.01
= 3707.7 kg/m²
14) shear stress at the toe
τ = 𝑷𝒏 tan β
tan β = 6.25 / 10 = 0.625
τ = 𝑷𝒏 tan β
= 12560 × 0.625
= 7850 kg/m²
15) shear stress at the heel
τ = - (𝑷𝒏 - 𝑷) tan α
tan α = 1 / 10 = 0.1
τ = - (𝑷𝒏 - 𝑷) tan α
= -(3770-1000×10)×0.1
= 623 kg/m²