Definition

A Dam is a structure built across a stream, a river, or an estuary to

ANALYSIS OF GRAVITY DAMS
ENGR. JOHN REY M. PACTURANAN
Faculty Member, College of Engineering
Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges
retain water.
Purpose of Dams
1. Irrigation for Agricultural Purposes
2. Storage of Water for Human and Industrial Consumptions
3. To generate electricity
4. To increase the depth of waterways for navigational purposes.
5. To provide lakes for recreational purposes
6. Others

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Forces Acting on a Gravity Dam

Definition
Gravity Forces
A gravity dam is a type of dam that uses gravity to resist the (Weight)
water pressure in the dam. It is usually made up of stone W1, W2 and W3
concrete, usually unreinforced, because it has high density,
cheap, and strong in compression. This type of dam must be
massive enough so that it cannot be pushed by the water in Hydrostatic Forces
the reservoir. It has thicker base to minimize the compressive F1 and F2
stress of the soil below the structure.
Uplift Force (U)

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Overturning Moment Righting Moment
It is the resultant moment that may cause the rotation, or overturning, It is a moment about the toe of the dam that counteracts the
of the dam in the toe. overturing moment.

F1 and U are overturning forces. W1, W2, W3, and F2 are righting
Thus, the moment of these forces forces. Thus, the moment of
about the toe is the overturning these forces about the toe is the
moment. righting moment.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Solving for the Base Reactions of the Dam Distance of Ry from Toe
Using Equation of Equilibrium: Consider the base of the dam:

ΣFx = 0 (→ = ←)
F 1 = F 2 + Rx ΣMToe = 0 (↻ = ↺)
∴ Rx = F 1 – F 2
OM + Ryx = RM
ΣFy = 0 (↑ = ↓)
Ry + U = W1 + W2 + W3 𝐑𝐌 −𝐎𝐌
∴x=
∴ Ry = W1 + W2 + W3 - U 𝐑𝐲

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Computation of the Soil (Foundation) Pressure Computation of the Soil (Foundation) Pressure
Step 1: Solve for the eccentricity (e) Step 2:
Eccentricity is the distance of Ry from the centerline of Case 1: e ≤ B/6
the base. 𝐑𝐲 𝟔𝐞 𝐑𝐲 𝟔𝐞
𝑩
qmin = 𝐁
(𝟏 − 𝐁
) qmax = 𝐁
(𝟏 + 𝐁
)
e = |x - |
𝟐

Ry is nearer to the heel than to the
Ry is nearer to the toe than to the
heel of the dam toe of the dam
Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan
If Ry is nearer to the toe than heel, then qmax is at the toe, and if Ry is nearer to the
heel than toe, the qmax is at the heel.
Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Computation of the Soil (Foundation) Pressure Computation of the Soil (Foundation) Pressure
Derivation: Derivation:
From the principle of combined Substituting these variables:
𝑩
axial and flexural stress in Strength 𝑹𝒚 𝑹𝒚 𝒆( )
𝟐
of Materials: q= ± 𝑩𝟑
𝑩
𝑷 𝑴𝒄 𝟏𝟐
q= ± 𝑹𝒚 𝟔𝑹𝒚 𝒆
𝑨 𝑰 q= ±
𝑩 𝑩𝟐
𝑹𝒚 𝟔𝒆
But: P = Ry q= 𝑩
(𝟏 ± 𝑩
)
A = B(1) = B
M = Rye 𝑹𝒚 𝟔𝒆
Thus: qmax = 𝟏+
c = B/2 𝑩 𝑩
𝑹𝒚 𝟔𝒆
1(𝐵)3 𝐵3 qmin = (𝟏 − 𝑩)
I= = 𝑩
12 12
Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan
 Computation of the Soil (Foundation) Pressure Factors of Safety (FS)
Step 2: 1. Factor of Safety Against 2. Factor of Safety Against
Case 2: e > B/6 Sliding (FSS) Overturning (FSO)
𝟐𝑹𝒚
qmin = 0 qmax = 𝟑𝒔 𝝁𝑹𝒚 𝑹𝑴
FSS = FSO =
Where s = distance of Ry from heel or toe (whichever is nearer) 𝑹𝒙 𝑶𝑴

μ – coefficient of friction RM – righting moment

between the soil and base of OM – overturning moment
dam
NOTE: In order to consider the dam to be safe, its factors of safety must be at least 1.0
If Ry is nearer to the toe than heel, then qmax is at the toe, and if Ry is nearer to the heel than toe, the qmax is
at the heel.
Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Procedures for Analysis

Important Constants
Assume 1 m thickness of dam
1. Identify the forces that will act on the gravity dam (weight, 1. The unit weight of water is 9.81 kN/m3 or 1000 kg/m3 or
hydrostatic forces, uplift force, etc.) Then determine the 62.4 lb/ft3.
distance of these forces from the toe of the dam. 2. The specific gravity of concrete is 2.4.
2. Compute for the righting and overturing moments (if
needed in the question).
3. Compute the reactions Rx and Ry of the dam, and the
distance of Ry from the toe (if needed in the question).
4. Solve for the other required values.

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 1
A concrete dam 4 m on top and 10 m at the bottom and 25 m
high has water 20 m deep acting on its vertical sides. The
coefficient of friction between the soil and dam is 0.60.
a. How far is the vertical resultant force from the toe?
b. What is the soil pressure in the heel?
c. What is the soil pressure in the toe?
d. What is the factor of safety against sliding?
e. What is the factor of safety against overturning?
Example 2
A concrete dam 4 m on top and 10 m at the bottom and 25 m high
has water 20 m deep acting on its vertical sides. The coefficient of
friction between the soil and dam is 0.60. Assume there is a
hydrostatic uplift that varies uniformly from full hydrostatic head
at heel of the dam to zero at the toe
a. How far is the vertical resultant force from the toe?
b. What is the soil pressure in the heel?
c. What is the soil pressure in the toe?
d. What is the factor of safety against sliding?
e. What is the factor of safety against overturning?

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 3: Example 3
A gravity dam, as shown below, carries water, 12m deep, on its
upstream side. The unit weight of water is 1000 kg/m3 while that of
concrete is 2400 kg/m3. The coefficient of friction between the soil and
the dam is 0.50.
a. How far is the vertical resultant force from the heel?
b. What is the soil pressure in the heel?
c. What is the soil pressure in the toe?
d. What is the factor of safety against sliding?
e. What is the factor of safety against overturning?

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Example 4: Example 4:
The cross-section of concrete gravity dam is shown below. The depth of
water upstream is 12 m while the depth of water downstream is 4 m.
The coefficient of friction between the soil and dam is 0.65. Assume
there is a hydrostatic uplift that varies uniformly from full hydrostatic
head at heel to full hydrostatic head at the toe.
a. What is the maximum pressure of the soil?
b. What is the factor of safety against sliding?
c. What is the factor of safety against overturning?

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan

Thank You!!!

Engr. John Rey M. Pacturanan