CHAPTER ONE:

HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES
1.1.Introduction
1.2.Classification of Hydraulic structures
1.3.Classification of Dams
1.4.Selection of Sites, Type of Dams and Spillways
1.5.Investigation of dam site
1.6.Data Collection
 CHAPTER ONE
HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES
1.1.INTRODUCTION
A dam is a barrier constructed across a river or a natural
stream to create a reservoir for impounding water, or to
facilitate diversion of water from the river, or to retain
debris flowing in the river along with water.

1.2 CLASSIFICATION OF DAMS

Dams may be classified in a number of ways.
A possible classification is as follows:
1.2.1Classification According to Purpose
A.Storage Dams
Constructed to create a reservoir to store water during
the periods when the flow in the river is in excess of the
demand, for utilization later on during the period when
the demand exceeds the flow in the river.
B. Detention Dam
Constructed to temporarily detain all or part of the flood
water of a river and to gradually release the stored water
at controlled rates so that, the entire region on the d/s
side of the dam may be safeguarded against the possible
damage due to floods.
C. Stage Control Dams
Diversion - to raise the water level (no storage) at
entrance to diversion canal intakes to permit gravity flow
in the canal
Navigation - to maintain minimum navigable depth in a
stream reach
D. Barrier Dams
Levees and dykes - to protect banks from overflow
Cofferdams-for temporary dewatering with diversion
around construction sites.
1.2.2 Classification According to Hydraulic Design
Over flow dams: - permit water to flow over their crest.
They are thus constructed of concrete or masonry (For
very small dams)
Non-overflow dams: - water is not permitted to flow
over their crest. Earth and rock fill dams are non-over
flow dams.
Composite dams: - the crest is divided into overflow and
non-overflow sections.
1.2.3 Classification based on material of construction

Rigid/concrete dam
It is a dam constructed from rigid material such as
masonry, concrete etc. Gravity, arch and buttress dams.
Non-rigid/embankment Dam
A dam which is constructed from non-rigid material such
as earth, rock fills etc.( Ex. Earth fills & rock fills)
1.3.Factors governing selection of dam type
Some of the physical factors which affect the choice of
the type of dam are discussed below: -
Topography
A. A narrow V-shaped valley with sound rock in
abutments has an arch dam as the first choice.
B. A narrow or moderately wide U-shaped valley with
sound rock foundation is best suited for gravity or
buttress dam. Also suitable for rock fill dam.
C. Wide valley with foundation of soil material to a
considerable depth (deep over burden) favor earth fill
embankment dam.
Geology and Foundation Condition
Solid Rock Foundations
Because of high bearing capacity and resistance to erosion and
percolation, any type of dam can be built on such foundations.
Gravel foundations (and coarse sand)
If well compacted, are suitable for earth fill, rock fill and low
concrete gravity dams (<15m).
Silt and Fine sand Foundations
These foundations suggest the adoption of earth dams or very
low dams(up to 8m high),but are not suitable for rock fill
dams.
Clay Foundations
Can be used to support earth fill dams after special treatment
to consolidate the clay.
 Availability of construction material
The most economical type of dam will be the one for which
materials are to be found in sufficient quantity with in a
reasonable distance from the site.
Earth Quake
If the dam is to lie in an area that is subject to earth
quake shocks, the design must include provisions for the
added loading and increased stresses.
The types of structures best suited to resist earth quake
shocks without damage are earth fill and concrete gravity
dams. Arch dams are better avoided.
Environmental Consideration
The selection of the type of dam, its dimensions and location
of spillway and other appurtenances should be such that there
are no adverse effects on the environment and as far as
possible maximum protection should be provided for the
environment.
1.4 Investigation of dam site
site investigation may be broadly classified under three
categories, via
Reconnaissance
Preliminary investigation
Final investigation
 Reconnaissance: Involves visiting all available sites
which have a possibility of being utilized and gathering
information which will be useful for planning the detailed
surveys and investigations. The information to be
collected may include geological data without any kind of
subsurface exploration, approximate estimate of stream
flow data, storage capacity and head available, etc.
Preliminary investigation-usually requires the following
items.
-Less precise site survey with the resulting topographic site map.
-Few borings, say from 6 to 50 according to the size of the dam
-Preliminary geologic investigation and corresponding report.
-Investigation of construction materials, e.g. earth, gravel, &
concrete aggregate.
-Determination of public utilities such as roads, telephone lines etc,
-Hydrologic studies.
-Determination of sediment load of the stream.
-Checking of high-water marks for determining spillway capacity.
Final investigation-involves the following items:
-Sufficiently precise site survey and preparation of topographic
maps
to serve all purposes of design and construction of the dam.
- Accomplishment of necessary borings, test pits, sub-surface
explorations, geologic studies and tests on the materials in
foundation and in proposed borrow lands.
-Determination of the type of dam to be used
-Planning the foundation treatment on the basis of sub-surface
investigation.
-Determination of the extent of land which would be sub-merged in
the reservoir and the arrangements for rehabilitation for residents of
that area.
-Obtaining sufficient information for accurate estimate of cost.
-Determination of the final location of the dam, construction
equipment, labor and other staff members, probable source of
construction materials and all other information needed to the
construction engineer.
1.5. DATA COLLECTION
The list of required data given below pertains to the
design level of study.
PHYSICAL DATA
-General Plan (map of scale 1:1000 - 1:10,000)
-Contour intervals 0.5 to 1.5 meters
-Location of existing works affected (if any)
-Proposed relocation of roads, railways
-Additional transportation facilities required for the
execution of the project
-Location of stream gauging stations and meteorological
stations in the area.
 Large plans of the dam and spillway site (1:500 -
1:1000) with contours as close as possible and showing
River banks
Location and elevations of buildings, road etc
Location and numbering of test pits and borings.
HYDROLOGICAL DATA
Data on the peak of stream flow near the dam site, on
maximum observed flood levels on the stream, on monthly
volume of flow, on sediment load and others is essential.
METEOROLOGICAL DATA
Data on average monthly temperature, average monthly
rainfall, maximum storm intensity, annual rate of
evaporation and others should be gathered.
GEOLOGICAL DATA
Dam and spillway sites - A geological map of the entire
project area and its catchments is required.
Reservoir site - Exploration should be made to check the
existence of cracks and faults which are potential leakage
source.