Terminology used in Embankment dams

Embankment Dam: A dam composed of any type of soil including rock.

Homogeneous Embankment dam: An Embankment dam composed of single type of
material.
Zoned Embankment Dam: An embankment dam composed of zones of different types of
soil
Large Dams : Dams exceeding 15m height above deepest bed level. Dams between 10 m
and 15 m height may be treated as large dams, provided volume of earthwork exceeds 0.75
million m3 or volume of storage exceeds 1 million m3 or the maximum flood discharge
exceeds 2000 cumecs,
Small Dam: A dam not satisfying the criteria of a large dam.
Inclined / Vertical Filter : A layer of uniform or graded pervious materials, placed inclined
or vertical.
Horizontal Filter : A layer of uniform or graded pervious materials placed horizontally.
Impervious Blanket: An upstream impervious soil layer laid over a relatively pervious
stratum and connected to the core.
Core : A zone of impervious earth within a zoned earth or rock fill dam.
Casing: All zones other than the core in a zoned earth dam, also called shell or shoulder.
Cut-Off: A harrier to reduce seepage of water through foundation and abutment.
Full cut off: A cut-off taken to an Impervious stratum.
Positive cut off: A full cut-off in the form of an open excavated trench and back filled with
compacted impervious material.
Partial cut off: A cut-off which does not go down to impervious stratum.
Lowest Water Level (LWL) or Minimum draw down Level (MDDL): The lowest level to
which a reservoir may be lowered keeping in view the requirements for hydro-power
generation or irrigation and other needs.
Membrane: A thin impervious barrier provided, either on the upstream face or in the central
portion of a rockfill dam, to prevent seepage through the dam.
Parapet Wall: A wall provided along the edge of the embankment.
Riprap: It is the protection to the embankment material against erosion due to wave action,
velocity of flow, rain-wash, wind action, etc, provided by placing a protection layer of rock
fragments or manufactured material.
Rock Toe : A zone of free draining material provided at the toe of the dam.
Rubble Cushion: A zone of hand laid or derrick laid rock provided between the main rockfill
and the upstream impervious membrane to act as a cushion to support the upstream
membrane and equalize settlement.
Sudden Draw down: The rate of lowering of reservoir water level which does not allow full
dissipation of pore pressure simultaneously with the lowering of reservoir water level.
Pore pressure: The pressure developed in the fluid within the voids of the soil under external
force when drainage is prevented.
Toe drain: A trench filled with filter material along the downstream toe of an earth dam to
collect seepage from horizontal filter and lead it to natural drain.
Turfing: It is a cover of grass grown over an area to prevent erosion of soil particles by rain-
wash.
Components and functions of a Embankment dam: An embankment dam generally
consists of the following components
a) Cut-off (b) Core; (c) Casing; (d) Internal drainage .system and foundations; (e) Slope
protection; and (f) Surface drainage.
The following components are provided in special cases:
a) Impervious blanket; and
b) Relief well.
Cut off: The cut-off is required for the following functions
a) To reduce loss of stored water through foundations and abutments; and
b) To prevent subsurface erosion by piping.
The type of cut-off should be decided on the basis of detailed geological investigation. It is
desirable to provide a positive cut-off. Where this is not possible, partial cut-off with or
without upstream impervious blanket may be provided. In any case, adequate drainage
arrangements may be provided on the downstream which may include relief well. Cut-off
may be in the form of trench, sheet piling, diaphragm of bentonite, concrete or other
impervious materials,
Core: The core provides impermeable barrier within the body of the dam. Impervious soils
are generally suitable for the core. IS: 1498-1970 may be referred to for suitability of soils for
the core. The core may be located either centrally or inclined upstream. The locations will
depend mainly on the availability of materials, topography of site, foundation conditions,
diversion considerations, etc. The following practical considerations govern the thickness of
the core:
a) Availability of suitable impervious material;
b) Resistance to piping; c) Permissible seepage through dam; d) Availability of other
materials for casing, filter, etc; and e) Minimum width that will permit proper construction.
The minimum top width of the core should be 3 m, Its thickness at any section shall not be
lesser than 30 percent (preferably not lesser than 50 percent ) of maximum head of water
acting at that section.
Casing: The function of casing is to impart stability and protect the core. The relatively
pervious materials, which are not subject to cracking on direct exposure to the atmosphere,
are suitable for casing.
Internal Drainage System: Internal drainage system comprises an inclined or vertical filter,
a horizontal filter, a rock toe, a toe drain.
Slope protection:
Upstream slope : The upstream slope protection is ensured by providing riprap. For design of
the riprap, IS : 8237-1985* may be referred. A minimum of 300 mm thick riprap over 150
mm thick filter layer may be provided.
Downstream slope: The downstream slope protection is ensured by providing riprap or
turfing. It is usual practice to protect the downstream slope from raincuts by providing
suitable turfing on the entire slope. For details of downstream slope protection, IS :
8237·1985* may be referred.
Impervious blanket: The horizontal upstream impervious blanket is provided to increase the
path of seepage when full cut-off is not practicable on pervious foundations. The impervious
blanket may be provided either with or without partial cut-off. Impervious blanket shall be
connected to core of the dam. The material used for impervious blanket should have far less
permeability than the foundation soil A 300 mm thick layer of random material over the
blanket is recommended to prevent cracking due to exposure to atmosphere.