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Soil Mechanics - Ii: Lecture No.15
Soil Mechanics - Ii: Lecture No.15
DAMS
Lecture No.15
Overflow dams
Non-overflow dams
Classification of Dams
Based on Materials of Construction
Masonry dam
Concrete dam
Earth dam
Rock fill dam
Timber dam
Steel dam
Composite dam.
Classification of Dams
Based on structural action
Gravity dams
Embankment dams
Earth dams
Roc kfill dams
Arch dams
Buttress dams
Others
Steel dams
Timber dams
GRAVITY DAMS
Gravity Dams use their triangular shape and the sheer
weight of their rock and concrete structure to hold back
the water in the reservoir.
ARCH DAMS
Arch Dams utilize the strength of an arch to displace the
load of water behind it onto the rock walls that it is built
into.
If the height of the dam is between 10m and 15m and matches the
following criteria, then ICOLD accepts the dam as big:
Topography.
Surface configuration of dam site, reservoir area,
accessibility of dam site, construction material.
Clay foundations.
It can be used for earthfill
dam with flatter slopes but not suitable for
rockfill and concrete dams.
Non uniform foundation. It requires special
engineering skills for site selection and
design of dam.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE TYPE AND DESIGN OF TYPE
Materials Available
Following the other criteria, if sand gravel and
aggregates are in abundance, choice would be
concrete dam.
Materials Available
Following the other criteria, if earth is available in
abundance, choice would be homogenous earth fill
dam.
Hydrology.
It includes intensity of rain fall in catchments
area, pattern of rainfall, type of catchments
area, amount of run off, pattern of flow in the
channel (perineal/seasonal, uniform
/intermittent), importance of spillways basing
on required down stream flow after
construction of dam.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE TYPE AND DESIGN OF DAM
Slope Failure
► Design deficiencies
► Neglected remedial actions
Instability
► Excessive deformations
► Excessive stresses
► Excessive loss of materials due to erosion
Geotechnical Aspects of Earth Dams
Failure Modes (Cont.)
Earthquake conditions
► Excessive deformation
► Excessive pore pressure buildup
► Sudden densification of loose, saturated, non-
cohesive soils that causes rapid build-up of pore fluid
pressures
Geotechnical Aspects of Earth Dams
Failure Modes
Cause Failures Incidents Total
Embankment Piping 23 14 37
Foundation Piping 11 43 54
Overtopping 18 7 25
Flow Erosion 14 17 31
Sliding 5 28 33
Deformation 3 29 32
Slope Protection Damage 0 13 13
Deterioration 2 3 5
Gate Failure 1 3 4
Earthquake Instability 0 3 3
Faulty Construction 0 3 3
Geotechnical Aspects of Earth Dams
Filter Design
Facilitates the controlled flow of water and
prevents movement of soil particles
► Collection and control
► Adequate carrying capacity
► Prevents migration of fines
Criteria
► Permeability
► Stability
ENGINEERING GEOLOGICAL
STUDIES for DAM
CONSTRUCTION
PRELIMINARY STUDIES
AT THE RESERVOIR AREA AND DAM SITE
1. Dam site investigations
1. Location of dam axis
2. Location of diversion tunnel
3. Location of spillway
4. Location of powerhouse...etc
2. Geological studies
3. Geophysical surveying
4. Underground investigations
1. Boreholes
2. Investigation galleries
3. Pitholes
5. Surveying for materials
1. Field surveying
2. Laboratory tests
PRELIMINARY STUDIES
AT THE RESERVOIR AREA AND DAM SITE
1. Topographic surveyings
2. Geological mappings
1/5000 – 1/1000 or 1/500
3. Underground explorations
Boreholes,....etc
4. Hydrogeological studies
• Overturning
1/md
H
1/md
H
1/md
H
1/md
H
A) WEIGHT (WC): Dead load and acts at the centroid of the section
B) HYDROSTATIC FORCES:
Water in the reservoir + tailwater causes Horizontal Hu Hd &
Vertical Fh1v Fh2v
where