TVM 5115 Planning and design of dams

Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Introduction to dams
Week 34, lecture 2

Fjóla Guðrún Sigtryggsdóttir

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Fig. Emil Thor for

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Outline of presentation
• General definition and vocabulary
• Definition of a large dam
• Role of dams
• Classification of dams/Dam types
• Choice of dam types
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What is a dam?
What are the benefits?
• A dam is a barrier constructed across a
waterway to control the flow or raise the
level of water.
• Primary purpose of a dam is to provide
for the safe retention and storage of
water.
• Benefits:
– Increased head [m]
– Developing storage (volume of water).
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Upstream and downstream sides

• The water side of the dam is

called upstream side (US),
and the „air“ side is called
downstream side (DS). US

DS
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Vocabulary of dams
• ICOLD dictionary on the web: http://www.icold-
cigb.org/GB/Dictionary/dictionary.asp

• FEMA: Glossary of Terms:

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-
08/fema_dam-safety_glossary_P-148.pdf
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Basic nomenclature of a dam
Upstream Downstream

Pool/Reservoir
Upstream Downstream

Dam toe

Impoundment or
L
Reservoir L

Right
Left abutment
abutment
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World register of dams

• International commission on large dams: ICOLD
• The World Register of Dams counts 58402 large dam
• http://www.icold-
cigb.org/GB/World_register/world_register.asp
• Countries with the highest number of dams: China (23 842,
USA (9265), India (5102), Japan (3108).
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Large dam - definition
For the purpose of inclusion in the World Register of Dams a large dam is defined as
(ICOLD definition):
1. any dam above 15 metres in height (measured from the lowest point of foundation to
top of dam) or,
2. any dam between 10 and 15 metres in height which meets at least one of the
following conditions :
a. The crest length is not less than 500 metres;
b. The capacity of the reservoir formed by the dam is not less than one million cubic
metres;
c. The maximum flood discharge dealt with by the dam is not less than 2 000 cubic
metres per second;
d. The dam had specially difficult foundation problems;
e. The dam is of unusual design.

World Register of dams see: (http://www.icold-

cigb.org/GB/World_register/data_base_presentation.asp)
ICOLD: International Commission on Large Dams, http://www.icold-cigb.org/
10
Number of dams by country ICOLD member
(numbers from 2019)
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Role of dams
Dam is a structure for impounding water.
Dams are constructed for a specific purpose such as:
• Water supply
• Irrigation
Dams with more than
• Flood control
one of these purposes
• Hydropower are referred to as
• Navigation «multi porpose dams»
• Recreation
• Sedimentation control
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Role of dams, continued

• A dam is the cornerstone in the developement and

management of water resources.
• A dam with more than one of the roles listed on the
previous slide, is referred to as multipurpose dam.
• Multipurpose dams: multiple benefits from a single
investment.
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Role of dams
The World Register of Dams counts 58402 large dams, of
these (in 2019)
• 28 684, or 49.1% are single-purpose dams

http://www.icold-cigb.org/
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Single purpose dams

(Data: www.icold-cigb.com)
Classification of dams
• On the following slides the different
classifications of dams is reviewed, however
bear in mind that:
• Geophysical environment, foundation geology,
catchment flood hydrology, material
characteristics, etc. are all site-specific.
This results in that every
dam is quite unique
Classification of dams
In the World Register of Dams can also be viewed
Dams, dams are classified or classified:
by: • By age
• Type (structural behaviour) • By size (heigth and/or volume)
• Spillway capacity • By function
• Reservoir capacity • By material (dam type by material)
• Installed capacity with energy • By hydraulic design
• Irrigated area • According to their hazard potential.
– Hazard potential classification for a
• Volume for flood protection dam may change over time.
• Resettled persons – Periodically review and update of the
hazard classification is required.

http://www.icold-cigb.org/GB/World_register/general_synthesis.asp
Dam classification reviewed here:
• Dam age
• Dam height
• Dam function
• Dam type
– Structural behaviour
– Construction material
• Hydraulic design
• Hazard potential
?
• Oldest?
• Highest?
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World oldest large dams Dam Name Year Country
PROSERPINA 130 Spain
ICHIBANIKE 400 Japan
SUMIYOSHIIKE 400 Japan
KAERUMATAIKE 607 Japan
SAYAMAIKE 616 Japan
MANNOIKE 700 Japan
FUROTANIIKE 900 Japan
KUMAMICHIIKE 900 Japan
MINENOIKE 900 Japan
NAGAYUKIIKE 1000 Japan
THONNUR TANK 1000 India
SHINTARO 1260 Japan
MÁCHOVO JEZERO 1272 Czech Republic
SARKHAB 1314 Afghanistan
MARUYAMA(YAMAGUCHI
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proserpina_Dam 1346 Japan
)
http://www.ctie.co.jp/english/service/projects/01/project16.html OIKE 1360 Japan
DVORIŠ TE 1363 Czech Republic
OTANIIKE 1470 Japan
OMINE 1480 Japan
JORDÁN 1492
http://www.icold-cigb.org/GB/World_register/world_register.asp Czech Republic
http://www.icold-cigb.org
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Old dams still in use
Name Completed (AC) Purposes Land
Quatinah Barrage -1300 Syria
Khlongkathun -543 IS Thailand
Cornalbo 100 I Spain
Purposes/role
Proserpina 100 ISR Spain H Hydropower
El Bercial 130 I Spain S Water Suply
Mannoike 700 I Japan C Flood control
Thonnur Tank 1000 I India
I Irrigation
Daimonike 1128 I Japan
N Navigation
Machovo Jezero 1272 RFS Czech
Dvoriste 1363 C Czech R Recreation
Almansa 1384 SIR. Spain F Fish breeding
Jordan 1492 S Czech X Others
Cumbhum 1500 I India
Velka Hodna 1500 RFS Czech See also:
http://www.water-technology.net/features/feature-
Vodarenska 1510 S Slovakia the-worlds-oldest-dams-still-in-use/
Horusicky Rybnik 1512 C Czech
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Historical perspective
Sadd El-Kafara, Egypt, 2600-2500 B.C.

Sadd El-Kafara dam in Egypt

• 2600-2500 BC
• Oldest known dam of real significane
• Masonry gravity/embankment dam,
built for flood control.
• Completed to a height of ca 14 m
• Crest length ca. 110 m
• The dam breached, probably in
consequence of flood overtopping,
after a short period of service.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadd_el-Kafara
http://structurae.net/structures/sadd-el-kafara-dam
Novak P., Hydraulic Structures, 4th ed. 2007
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Historical perspective
Sadd El-Kafara, Egypt, 2600-2500 B.C.

Constructed with an
earthfill central zone
abutted by rock
shoulders with rubble
masonry face protection
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World Dam Name
Height(
m)
Purpos
es
Country
Under construction
ROGUN (C) 335 HI Tajikistan Under construction
highest dams BAKHTIYARI (C)
JINPING 1 (C)
315
305
HC
HC
Iran
China
NUREK 300 IH Tajikistan
LIANGHEKOU (C) 295 China
Purposes/role XIAOWAN 294 HCIN China
XILUODU (C) 286 HCN China
H Hydropower GRANDE DIXENCE 285 H Switzerland
S Water Suply BAIHETAN (C) 277 China
DIAMER-BHASHA (C) 272 HIS Pakistan
C Flood control INGURI 272 HI Georgia
I Irrigation YUSUFELI (C) 270 H Turkey
MANUEL MORENO
N Navigation TORRES 262 H Mexico
R Recreation (CHICOASÉN)
VAJONT 262 H Italy
F Fish breeding NUOZHADU (C) 262 HCN China
KHERSAN2 260 H Iran
X Others
TEHRI (THDC) 260 IH India
BADOOSH 256 IHC Iraq
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grande_Dixence_Dam HACIXIA 254 http://www.icold-cigb.org
China
MAUVOISIN 250 H Switzerland
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Nurek dam
• Located on the
Vakhsh River in
Tajikistan near the
Afghanistan
boarder.
• Earthfill dam with
impervious core of
concrete.
• Height 300 m
• Crest length 704
m
• Associated with a
nine-unit power
plant of 2,700
MW.
• Completed in
1980
•
Dam function
• Storage dams are used to store water (in water storages/reservoirs) for
• Storage dam extended length of time, for hydropower generation, irrigation and/or water
supply
• Diversion dam • Diversion dams are constructed to divert flow of water from its natural
course, or to by-pass water, for example around a dam site during
construction.
• Detension • Detention dams are built to catch surface runoff to prevent floods and trap
dam sediments by regulating the flow rate of the runoff into channels
downstream.
•
• Cofferdam Cofferdams are temporary structures enclosing all or part of the
construction area so that construction can proceed in the dry. A diversion
cofferdam diverts a river into a pipe, channel or tunnel
• Debris dam • Debris dams/check dams are constructed to catch and retain debris flowing
/Check dam in a river. These dams are usually small and sometimes temporary
structures.

• Saddledam
Dam types– Structural behavior

Embankment Buttress dam

dam

Gravity dam
Arch dam
Dam types (based on structural behaviour)
ICOLD 1. Earth dam (TE) Embankment
classification by 2. Rockfill dam (ER) dams
type: 3. Gravity dam (PG)
4. Buttress dam (CB)
5. Barrage (BM)
6. Arch dam (VA)
7. Multiple Arch (MV)
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Dam types – based on construction material

• Embankment dams
– Earth dams
Non-rigid

– Earth-rockfill dams
dams

– Rockfill dams
• Concrete dams
– Gravity dams
– Buttress dams
Rigid dam

– Arch dams
• RCC dams (“Roller Compacted Concrete”) (Gravity dams, Arch dams)
• Masonry dams (Gravity dams)
• Timber and steel dams – usually only constructed for small heights.
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Dam types based on construction material
1. Embankment dams
Constructed of earthfill and/or rockfill. Upstream and downstream slopes are
similar and of moderate angle, resulting in a wide cross section and high
construction volume relative to height.
2. Concrete dams
Constructed of concrete. The upstream and downstream slopes are dissimilar. The
downstream slope is generally steep, whereas the upstream slope is near vertical.
Concrete dams have relatively slender profiles, however depending upon the type.

(Masonry dams, timber and steel dams).

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Dam types: World register of large
dams Dominant for
technical and
economic
reasons.

The register counts

58402 large dams
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Embankment dams
ICOLD definition: Embankment dam or Fill dam. - Any dam constructed of
excavated natural materials or of waste materials.
• Embankment dams are constructed of locally available soils, gravels,
sands and rock.
• Embankment dams can be
– Homogeneous, i.e. constructed mainly of a single kind of material (however with
riprap and toedrain).
– Zoned, i.e. Constructed of more than one material. Usually with a central
impervious core of clay or morain, abutted with filters and supporting shell.
Riprap and toedrain.
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Embankment dam
Typical section
Zoned dams
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Embankment dams

Principal variants
of rockfill
embankment dams
(values of m
indicative only)

Novak, Hydraulic Structures 4th Ed.

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Storvatn Dam
Embankment Norway’s Largest Embankment Dam by volume: 9 700 000 m3
dam
Embankment dams
• Built from
locally
available
maerial
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Embankment dams - advantages
1. Constructed of locally available soils, gravel, sand and rocks.
2. Suitable to both sites in wide valleys as well as relatively steep sided
gorges
3. Can be adapted to a broad range of foundation conditions, ranging from
competent rock to soft and compressible soils, or relatively pervious soil or
rock formation.
4. The use of natural material minimizes the need to import or transport large
quantities of processed material or cement to the site.
5. The embankment design is flexible in its ability to accommodate different fill
materials, e.g. earthfills and/or rockfills, if suitably zoned internally.
6. The construction process is highly mechanized and effectively continuous
7. Properly designed embankment dam can safely accommodate an
appreciable degree of deformation and settlement with limited risk of
serious cracking and possible failure.
See: Novak, Hydraulic Structures 4th Ed.
Example: locally available material

Riprap

Morain in
core
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Embankment dams
• Main disadvantages:
– Susceptibility do damage or breaching by overtopping.
– Flood relief must be ensured and a seperate spillway.
– Vulnerability to concealed leakage and internal erosion
in dam or foundation.
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Concrete dams
• Gravity dams
• Buttress dams
• Arc dams
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Concrete dams
Gravity dams, arch dams and buttress dams

Principal variants of concrete

dams (values of m and n
indicative only; in (e) RH and
RV generally vary over dam
faces)

Fig: Novak, Hydraulic Structures 4th Ed.

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Concrete dams
Gravity dams, arch dams and buttress dams

Further variants of concrete

dams

Fig: Novak, Hydraulic Structures 4th Ed.

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Concrete dams
Gravity dams, arch dams and buttress dams
1. Concrete dams,
– Gravity and buttress concrete dams, are suitable to the site topography of wide or
narrow valleys, provided that a competent rock foundation is assessable at
moderate depth (<5 m).
– Arch dams are suitable in narrow valleys with competent rock foundation.
2. Concrete dams are not sensitive to overtopping under extreme flood conditions.
However, the downstream area must be able to accommodate the overtopped
flooding.
3. Concrete dams can accommodate a crest spillway provide that steps are taken to
control downstream erosion and possible undermining of the dam. Separate spillway
and channel are therefor not required.
4. Outlet pipework, valves and other auxiliary works can be housed in chambers or
galleries within the dam.
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Gravity dams
ICOLD definition: A dam constructed of concrete
and/or masonry which relies on its weight for
stability.
Plan View
• Usually built of concrete or masonry.
• Main advantage: simple design
• Main disadvantage: requires large amounts of
Longitudinal view
materials and construction

Section view
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Gravity
dams

http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/L
ocations/District-Locks-and-
Dams/Dworshak-Dam-and-
Reservoir/ (USA)
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Arch dams
ICOLD definition. Arch dam. A concrete or masonry
dam which is curved in plan so as to transmit the
major part of the water load to the abutments.

• More economical than gravity dams since less

material is required. (Less self weight).

• V-shaped valleys are preferred as construction

sites.
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Arch dam

Contra dam (Versace dam),

Switzerland.
Height 220 m. (Completed 1965).
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Buttress dams
ICOLD definition. Buttress dam is: A dam consisting of a
watertight part supported at intervals on the downstream
side by a series of buttresses. Buttress dam can take
many forms. Plan View

• Main Advantage is its versatility. Does not require

strong rock foundation needed for arch, and does not
require the large amount of building materials for
gravity and buttresses; can be modified to the specific
Longitudinal view
situation.

• Main Disadvantage is the height limitation and it is

harder to design and build than others.

Section View
http://cee.engr.ucdavis.edu/faculty/lund/dams/Dam_History_Page/Diagrams.htm
48
Buttress dam

Buttress dam

Roselend dam, Albertville, France

Height 150 m
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(Buttress dam) Multiple-Arch

dams
ICOLD definition: Multiple arch dam (MV). - A buttress
dam the upstream part of which comprises a series of
arches leaning on buttresses.
• Much like the arch dam, the multiple-arch reduces
materials needed for construction.
• This dam type can be adapted for use in a variety of Plan View
canyons.
• The structures are continuous and failure of key
constituents could lead to loss of entire dam
• Foundations do not need to be as good as those for Section View Longitudinal view
concrete arch dams.

http://cee.engr.ucdavis.edu/faculty/lund/dams/Dam_History_Page/Diagrams.htm
50

Multiple arch buttress dam

Daniel Johnson Dam, Canada. Constructed 1960s, Height 214 m

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Fig. Emil Thor for

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Classification based on hydraulic

design
Overflow dam Non-overflow dam

Karahnjukar dam, Iceland

Warragamba Dam in Sydney
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Classification based on hydraulic

design
• Overflow dam/Overfall dam
– Constructed with a crest that permits overflow of surplus water in the
reservoir.
– Generally dams are not designed as overflow dams over it s entire length.
– Generally concrete gravity dams
• Non-overflow dam
– Water is not allowed to overtop the dam.
– The dam crest is at a higher elevation than the expected maximum flood
level.
– Can be constructed of. Earth fill, rockfill, masonry, concrete, etc.
– Usually a spillway is provided to permit overflow of surplus water.
54
Classification based on hazard potential
• Reservoirs retained by one or more dams, constitute a
potential hazard to the downstream area: life, property and
environment (society, economy and environment).
• Failure of a dam, resulting in flooding downstream, can
result in unacceptable fatalities and economic damage.

FERC, Engineering Guidelines for the Evaluation of Hydropower Projects; Chapter 1 (2015)
https://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/safety/guidelines/eng-guide/chap1.pdf’
55
Classification based on hazard potential
• The hazard potential classification of a dam determines the level of
engineering review and the applicable design criteria.
• Hazard classification does not indicate the structural integrity of the
dam itself but rather the effects if a failure should occur.
• The hazard potential assigned to a dam is based on consideration
of the effect of a failure during both normal and flood flow
conditions.

FERC, Engineering Guidelines for the Evaluation of Hydropower Projects; Chapter 1 (2015)
https://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/safety/guidelines/eng-guide/chap1.pdf’
56
Classification based on hazard potential
• Three classification is for example adopted by FERC (USA):
• Low, significant, and high.

FERC, Engineering Guidelines for the Evaluation of Hydropower Projects; Chapter 1 (2015)
https://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/safety/guidelines/eng-guide/chap1.pdf’
57
Some major dam disasters 1959-1993
Dam, Country Type, height (m) Event
(year of event) (year of completion)
Malpasset, Italy Arch, 61 m (1954) Foundation failure and abutment yield; total
(1959) collapse (421 killed)
Vaiont reservoir, Arch, 262 m Rockslide (200x106 m3) into reservoir, wave
Italy (1960 100 m overtopping dam crest; dam intact.
(1963) (~2000 killed)
Teton, USA Embankment, 93 m Internal erosion from poor cut-off trench
(1976) (completing) design; total destruction (11 killed)
Macchu II, India Embankment/Gravity dam, 26 Catastrophic flood; gate malfunction;
(1979) m overtopping and embankment washout
(1972) (~2000 killed)
Tous, Spain Embankment, 127 m Failed by overtopping during extreme flood
(1982) (1979) event (16 killed)
Gouhou, China Embankment, 70 m Failure of upstream deck leading to local
(1993) (1985) instability and erosion, with rapid breaching
(~400 killed)

Novak et al, 2005

Selection of dam site
• Important issues (for decision making)
– Topography
– Costs See ICOLD bulletin
– Time factor 183 (2019) on
– Tradition Blackboard

– Environmental impact
– Hydrology (climate)
– Geological issues
– Locally available construction materials
– Conditions for spillway, diversions and other structures.
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Selection of dam site - Ideal site!

1. Suitable valley width
2. Stable slopes both at the dam site and along the reservoir
sides.
3. Absence of weathered formations
4. Competent geological formations without weak zones.
5. Absence of clay and fractured material
6. Absence of fault zones
7. Easy access and supply of material for the construction
Selection of dam site
Shape of dam site
• Gorge (L/H < 3)
• Narrow valley (3<L/H<6)
• Wide valley (L/H>6)
L foundation
H
Rock quality/Bearing capacity
Gravity dam: 3-4 MPa
Buttress dam: 5-8 MPa
Arch dam: 7-10 MPa
Foundation properties
• Conditions of bearing capacity
• Compression strength
• Shear strength
• Modulus of elasticity of rock
• Tectonic stress
• Permeability and conditions for
foundation grouting
For a new dam have to consider:
• Excavation of soil/weak rock
Embankment dams Concrete dams
• Constructed from natural material near • Require processed material (concrete)
the construction site • Requires sound rock foundation
• High fill volume • Suitable sites:
• Less unit cost than concrete dams – Gravity and buttress dams are suited to
wide valleys, provided excavation to rock
• Suitable for wide valley sites is less than ~5 m.
• Suitable to either rock or compressible – Arch dams are suited to narrow gorges
soil foundation. (B/H<4)
• Accommodate appreciable degree of • Can be overtopped
deformation/settlements • Spillway (overflow), outlet work and
• Considerations: valves can be placed within the dam
– Overtopping (might result in dam failure) • Considerations
– Internal erosion (might progress to piping
– Overturning
and result in dam failure)
– Sliding
– Compression stresses
Dam selection:
Type
characteristics
(Table 1.7 from Novak, Hydraulic
Structures 4th edition)

Rock quality:
Gravity dam: 3-4 MPa
Buttress dam: 5-8 MPa
Arch dam: 7-10 MPa
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Which dam type suits the site on the picture?
64

Bakhtiari dam

Height 315 m
Crest length 434 m

Bakhtiari Project http://en.iwpco.ir/Bakhtiari/default.aspx

http://sepasad.ir/en/Projects/Dam/Bakhtiari