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.
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 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
Advantages

 Gravity dams are quite 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 overflow section is usually a
gravity dam. are specially suited to such areas where
there is very heavydownpour. The slopes of the earth
dams might be washed away in such an area.
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 GRAVITY DAMS
Advantages

 Maintenance cost of a gravity dam is very low.

 Does not fail suddenly.
 There is enough warning of the imminent failure and the
valuable property and human life can be saved to some
extent.
 Can be constructed during all types of climatic
conditions.
 Sedimentation in the reservoir on the upstream of a
gravity dam can be somewhat reduced by operation of
deep-set sluices

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 GRAVITY DAMS
Disadvantages

 Gravity dams of great height 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 plants for batching,
mixing and transporting concrete are not available.
 Require more skilled labour than that in earth dams.
subsequent raising is not possible in a gravity dam
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 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.

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 EARTH DAMS

Earth Dam
Reservoir

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 EARTH DAMS

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 EARTH DAMS
Advantages

 are usually cheaper than 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.
 Can be raised subsequently.
 Are aesthetically more pleasing than gravity dams.
 Are more earthquake-resistant than gravity dams.

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 EARTH DAMS
Disadvantages

 Are not suitable for narrow gorges 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 failure causes havoc and untold miseries.

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 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.
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 ROCKFILL DAMS

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 ROCKFILL DAMS

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 ROCKFILL DAMS
Advantages

Rockfill dams have almost the same 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 climates

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 ROCKFILL DAMS
Disadvantages

 Rockfill dams require more strong foundations than

earth dams.
 Rockfill dams require heavy machines for
transporting, dumping and compacting rocks

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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.

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 ARCH DAMS

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 ARCH DAMS

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 ARCH DAMS
Advantages

 An arch dam requires less 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
strong foundation because a small part of load is
transferred to base, whereas in a gravity dam full load is
transferred to base.

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 ARCH DAMS
Disadvantages

 An arch dam requires good rock in the flanks

(abutments) to resist the thrust. If the abutments yield,
extra stresses develop which may cause failure.
 The arch dam requires sophisticated formwork, more
skilled labour and richer concrete.
 The arch dam cannot be constructed in very cold
climates because spalling of concrete occurs due to alternate
freezing and thawing.
 The arch dams are more prone to sabotage.
 The speed of construction is relatively slow.

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 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.
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 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
Advantages
 Buttress dams require less concrete than 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 dams.
 Back of the deck and the foundation between buttresses
are accessible for inspection.

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 BUTTRESS DAMS

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 BUTTRESS DAMS
Disadvantages

 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.

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 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

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 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

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 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

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