Elements of Dam Engineering
Dams
Introduction
Classification
Advantages and disadvantages
Site selection
Selection of type of Dam
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DAMS
What is a dam?
A dam is a hydraulic structure of fairly impervious
material built across a river to create a reservoir on its
upstream side for impounding water for various purposes.
A dam and a reservoir are complements of each other.
Dams are generally constructed in the mountainous
reach of the river where the valley is narrow and the
foundation is good.
Generally, a hydropower station is also constructed at
or near the dam site to develop hydropower.
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DAMS
Reservoir
Buttress Dam
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DAMS
Classification of Dams
Based on Function Served
Storage dams
Detention dams
Diversion dams
Debris dams
Coffer dams - a temp
dam constructed for
facilitating construction.
It is an enclosure constructed
around a site to exclude water
so that the construction can
be done in dry.
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DAMS
Based on Hydraulic Design
¾Overflow dams
¾ Non-overflow dams
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DAMS
Based on Materials of Construction
Masonry dam
Concrete dam
Earth dam
Rockfill dam
Timber dam
Steel dam
Combined concrete-cum-earth dam
Composite dam.
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DAMS
Based on Rigidity
Rigid dams: A rigid dam is quite stiff. It is
constructed of stiff materials such as concrete, masonry,
steel and timber. These dams deflect and deform very
little when subjected to water pressure and other forces
Non-rigid dams: A non-rigid dam is relatively less
stiff compared to a rigid dam. The dams constructed of
earth and rockfill are non-rigid dams. There are
relatively large settlements and deformations in a non-
rigid dam.
Rockfill dams are actually neither fully rigid nor fully
non-rigid. These are sometimes classified as semi-rigid
dams.
DAMS
Based on structural action
Gravity dams
Embankment dams
Earth dams
Rockfill dams
Arch dams
Buttress dams
Others
Steel dams
Timber dams
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GRAVITY DAMS
A gravity dam resists the water pressure and other
forces due to its weight (or gravitational forces).usually made
of cement concrete and straight in plan are approx triangular
in cross-section, with apex at the top.
In the past, the gravity dams were made of stone masonry,
(Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (AP), Krishnaraja Sagar Dam
(KN),Gandhi Sagar Dam (MP), Jawai Dam(RJ))Bhakra dam
(structural height of 226 m) was the highest concrete gravity
dam of the world when built (surpassing 221 m high Hoover
dam in USA). At present, it is second highest after Grand
Dixence Dam in Switzerland (284 m high). Koyna Dam
(MR), Rihand Dam (UP), Sardar Sarovar Dam, etc are few
examples of concrete gravity dams. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
(125 m) is highest masonry dam of the world. It is also the
largest storage capacity dam of India dams
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GRAVITY DAMS
Masonry Gravity Dam
(Non Overflow)
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GRAVITY DAMS
Concrete Gravity Dam with Overflow Section
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GRAVITY DAMS
Advantage Gravity dams are quite
s
strong, stable and durable. are quite
suitable across moderately wide
valleys and
gorges having steep slopes where earth
dams, if constructed, might slip.can be
constructed to very great heights,
provided good rock foundations are
available.
Are well adapted for use as
an overflow spillway section.
Earth dams cannot be used as
an overflow section.
Even in earth dams, the
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o GRAVITY DAMS
v
e Advan
r tages
f
l Maintenance cost of a gravity dam is
o very low.
w Does not fail suddenly.
There is enough warning of the
s
imminent failure and the valuable
e
property and human life can be saved
c to some extent.
t Can be constructed
i during all types of climatic
o conditions.
n Sedimentation in the reservoir
i on the upstream of a gravity dam
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c ced by operation of deep-set
a sluices
n
b
e
s
o
m
e
w
h
a
t
r
e
d
u
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Engineering
GRAVITY DAMS
Disadvantage Gravity dams of great height
s can be constructed only on sound
rock foundations. These cannot be
constructed on weak or permeable
foundations on which earth dams can
be constructed.
Initial cost of a gravity dam is
usually more than that of an earth
dam.
At the sites where good earth is
available for construction and funds
are limited, earth dams are better.
Usually take a longer time in
construction than earth
dams,especially when mechanised
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Engineering
pla not available.
nts Require more skilled labour
for than that in earth dams. subsequent
bat raising is not possible in a gravity
chi dam
ng,
mix
ing
and
tra
nsp
orti
ng
con
cret
e
are
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Engineering
EARTH DAMS
An earth dam is made of earth (or soil) and resists
the forces exerted upon it mainly due to shear strength of
the soil.
are usually built in wide valleys having flat slopes
at flanks (abutments).
can be homogeneous when the height of the dam is
not great.
are of zoned sections, with an impervious zone (called
core) in the middle and relatively pervious zones (called
shells or shoulders) enclosing the impervious zone on both
sides.
Nowadays majority of dams constructed are of this
type.
EARTH DAMS
Earth Dam
Reservoir
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EARTH DAMS
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EARTH DAMS
Advantage are usually cheaper than
s gravity dams if suitable earth
for construction is available
near the site.
Can be constructed on almost
all types of foundations,
provided suitable measures of
foundation treatment and
seepage control are taken.
Can be constructed in a relatively
short period.
Skilled labour is not
required in construction of an
earth dam.
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Engineering
Can ity dams.
be Are more earthquake-resistant than
raise gravity dams.
d
subs
eque
ntly.
Are
aest
hetic
ally
mor
e
plea
sing
than
grav
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Engineering
EARTH DAMS
Disadvantage Are not suitable for narrow gorges
s with steep slopes.
Cannot be designed as an
overflow section. A spillway has to
be located away from the dam.
Cannot be constructed in regions
with heavy downpour, as the slopes
might be washed away.
Maintenance cost of an earth dam is
quite high. It
requires constant supervision.’
Sluices cannot be provided in a
high earth dam to remove slit.
Fails suddenly without any sign
of imminent failure. A sudden
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Engineering
failur
e
cause
s
havoc
and
untol
d
miser
ies.
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Engineering
ROCKFILL DAMS
A rockfill dam is built of rock fragments and
boulders of large size.
An impervious membrane (cement concrete or asphaltic
concrete or earth core) is placed on the rockfill on the
upstream side to reduce the seepage through the dam.
A dry rubble cushion is placed between the rockfill and
the membrane for the distribution of water load and for
providing a support to the membrane.
Side slopes of rockfill are usually kept equal to the angle
of repose of rock (1.4:1 or 1.3:1).
Rockfill dams are quite economical when a large
quantity of rock is easily available near the site. Thiem dam
(PJ),
Ramganga dam (UP), etc. are rockfill dams in India,
while Mica dam (242 m, Canada), and Chicoasen dam
(240 m, Maxico) are highest rockfill dams.
ROCKFILL DAMS
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ROCKFILL DAMS
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ROCKFILL DAMS
Advantage
Rockfill dams have almost the same
s
advantages and disadvantages over
gravity dams as discussed for earth dams.
Particular advantages and disadvantages over
earth dams.
Are quite inexpensive if rock
fragments are easily available.
Can be constructed quite rapidly.
Can better withstand the
shocks due to earthquake than
earth dams.
Can be constructed even in adverse
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Engineering
clim ROCK FILL DAMS
ates
es
Rockfill dams require more
strong foundations than earth dams.
D Rockfill dams require
i heavy machines for
s transporting, dumping
a and compacting rocks
d
v
a
n
t
a
g
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ARCH DAMS
An arch dam is curved in plan, with its
convexity towards the upstream side.\
transfers the water pressure and other forces mainly to
the abutments by arch action.
is quite suitable for narrow canyons with strong flanks
which are capable of resisting the thrust produced by the
arch action.
section is triangular and is comparatively thinner.
may have a single curvature or double curvature in the
vertical plane.
are subjected to large stresses because of changes
in temperature shrinkage of concrete and yielding of
abutments.
ARCH DAMS
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ARCH DAMS
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ARCH DAMS
Advantage An arch dam requires less
s concrete as compared to a
gravity dam as the section is
thinner
Arch dams are more suited to
narrow, V-shaped valley, having
very steep slopes.
Uplift pressure is not an
important factor in the design of an
arch dam because the arch dam has
less width and the reduction in
weight due to uplift does not affect
the stability.
An arch dam can be
constructed on a relatively less
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st ause a small part of load is
r transferred to base, whereas in a
o gravity dam full load is
n transferred to base.
g ARCH DAMS
f
o Disadv
u antages
n
d An arch dam requires good rock
a in the flanks (abutments) to resist the
ti thrust. If the abutments yield, extra
o stresses develop which may cause
n failure.
b The arch dam requires
e sophisticated formwork, more skilled
c labour and richer concrete.
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Engineering
The ng of concrete occurs due to alternate
arch freezing and thawing.
dam The arch dams are more prone to
cann sabotage.
ot The speed of construction is
be relatively slow.
cons
truc
ted
in
very
cold
clim
ates
beca
use
spalli
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Engineering
BUTTRESS DAMS
Buttress dams are of three types: (i) Deck type,
(ii) Multiple arch-type, and (iii) Massive-head type.
A deck type buttress dam consists of a sloping deck
supported by buttresses.
Buttresses are triangular concrete walls which
transmit the water pressure from the deck slab to the
foundation.
Buttresses are compression members.]
The deck is usually a reinforced concrete slab
supported between the buttresses, which are usually
equally spaced.
In a multiple-arch type buttress dam the deck slab
is replaced by horizontal arches supported by
buttresses. The arches are usually of small span and
made of concrete.
BUTTRESS DAMS
Buttress Dam (d/s side)
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BUTTRESS DAMS
Multiple Arch Buttress Dam (u/s side)
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BUTTRESS DAMS
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BUTTRESS DAMS
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BUTTRESS DAMS
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BUTTRESS DAMS
Advantage Buttress dams require less concrete than
s gravity dams.
Uplift/ice pressure is generally not a
major factor
Can be constructed on relatively weaker
foundations.
Power house and water
treatment plants, etc. can be housed
between buttresses.
Vertical component of the water
pressure on deck prevents the dam
against overturning and sliding
failures.
Can be designed to accommodate
moderate movements of foundations
without serious damages.
Heat dissipation is better in buttress
da es are accessible for inspection.
ms.
B
Lecture Notes on Elements of Dam Engineering
ack
of
the
dec
k
and
the
fou
nda
tion
bet
wee
n
butt
ress
BUTTRESS DAMS
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BUTTRESS DAMS
Disadvantage
s Buttress dams require costlier
formwork, reinforcement and more
skilled labour. Consequently, the overall
cost of construction may be more than
that of a gravity dam.
Buttress dams are more
susceptible to damage and
sabotage.
Buttress dams cannot be
constructed in very cold climates
because of spalling of concrete.
Because the upstream deck slab is
thin, its deterioration may have very
serious effect on the stability.
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SITE SELECTION FOR A DAM
A dam is a huge structure requiring a lot of funds.
Extreme care shall be taken while selecting the site of
a dam.
A wrong decision may lead to excessive cost and
difficulties in construction and maintenance.
Various factors should be considered when selecting
the site of a dam.
SITE SELECTION FOR A DAM
Topography
Suitable Foundation
Good Site for reservoir – (i) Large storage
capacity (ii) Shape of reservoir basin (iii)
Watertightness of the reservoir (iv) Good
hydrological conditions (v) Deep reservoir (vi)
Small submerged area (vii) Low silt inflow (viii)
No objectionable minerals
Spillway site
Availability of materials
Accessibility
Healthy surroundings
Minimum overall cost
Other considerations
SELECTION OF TYPE OF DAM
Selection of the most suitable type of dam for a
particular site requires a lot of judgment and experience.
It is only in exceptional cases that the most suitable
type is obvious.
Preliminary designs and estimates are usually
required for several types of dams before making the
final selection on economic basis.
The salient features of different types of dams
discussed in the preceding sections should be kept in mind
while selecting the type of dam.
Various factors govern the selection of type of dam
SELECTION OF TYPE OF DAM
Topography and valley shape
Geology and foundation conditions
Availability of construction materials
Overall cost
Spillway size and location
Earthquake hazards
Climatic conditions
Diversion problems
Environmental considerations
Roadway
Length and height of dam
Life of dam
Miscellaneous considerations
