EE 337: Hydraulic Structures

Lecture 7: Dams & Dam Design……. Continued

Date:11/01/2024

Course instructor: Dr. Catherine Awidi Mushi

SUMMARY OF COMMON FORCES ACTING ON GRAVITY DAMS

1.Self weight of dam √

2.Water pressure √
3.Uplift pressure
4.Pressure due to earthquake forces
5.Wave pressure (caused by wind)
6.Silt pressure (sediments)
7.Ice pressure
UPLIFT FORCES CONTINUED
UPLIFT FORCES CONTINUED
 In case of drain holes: the uplift pressure at the line of
drains exceeds the tailwater pressure by one-third the
differential between the reservoir and tailwater heads. The
pressure gradient shall then be extended linearly to heads
corresponding to reservoir level and tailwater level.

 In case of a crack: The uplift is assumed to be the reservoir

pressure from the u/s face to the end of the crack and from
there to vary linearly to the tailwater or drain pressure.
UPLIFT FORCES CONTINUED
 In absence of line of drains and for the extreme loading
conditions, the uplift shall be taken as varying linearly from
the appropriate reservoir water pressure at the u/s face to
the appropriate tailwater pressure at the d/s face.

 Uplift pressures are not affected by earthquakes.

UPLIFT FORCES CONTINUED
UPLIFT FORCES CONTINUED

Example:
A concrete gravity dam has maximum water level 305.0m, bed level 225.0m, top required
level of dam 309.0m, downstream face slope starts at required level 300.0m, downstream
slope 2:3, tail water is nil, upstream face of dam is vertical, centre line of drainage gallery
is 8m downstream of upstream face, uplift pressure is 100% at heel, 50% at line of gallery
and zero at toe, specific gravity of concrete is 2.4. Considering only weight, water pressure
and uplift, determine

i) Maximum vertical stresses at toe and heel of dam; and

ii) major principal stresses at toe of dam
Assume top width of dam=14% of dam height
SUMMARY OF COMMON FORCES ACTING ON GRAVITY DAMS

1.Self weight of dam √

2.Water pressure √
3.Uplift pressure √
4.Pressure due to earthquake forces
5.Wave pressure (caused by wind)
6.Silt pressure (sediments)
7.Ice pressure
EARTHQUAKE FORCES
 An earthquake sets random vibrations (waves) in the earth’s crust,
which can be resolved in any three mutually perpendicular
directions. This motion causes the structure to vibrate.

 The waves impart accelerations to the foundations under the dam

and causes its movement.

 Acceleration introduces an inertia force in the body of dam and sets

up stresses initially in lower layers and gradually in the whole body
of the dam.
EARTHQUAKE FORCES
 The vibration intensity of ground expected at any location depends
upon the magnitude of earthquake, the depth of focus, distance
from the epicentre and the strata on which the structure stands.
 Site investigations for selection of dam type

Map showing earthquake epicenters (red dots; magnitude ≥ 2)

Figure 2 Tanzania seismic hazard map. (Source: GFDRR Source: Geological survey of Tanzania
https://thinkhazard.org/en/report/257-tanzania/EQ) https://www.gst.go.tz/geo-hazard/
EARTHQUAKE FORCES
 The response of the structure to the ground vibration is a function of
the nature of foundation soil; materials, form, size and mode of
construction of the structure; and the duration and the intensity of
ground motion.

 Earthquake causes impulsive ground motion which is complex and

irregular in character, changing in period and amplitude each lasting
for small duration.

 Earthquake is not likely to occur simultaneously with wind Or

maximum flood or maximum sea waves.
DESIGN & ANALYSIS OF CONCRETE DAMS
Example:
The dam with the section below is subjected to seismic forces.
Determine its stability and calculate the pressure on the foundation
(qt and qH). Consider the uplift pressure in your calculations
Assumptions
ɣc = 23.5KN/m3
µ = 0.6
Horizontal acceleration(kh) = 0.1
Vertical acceleration (kv) = 0.2

Would the stability conditions change if the reservoir was then

emptied?
SUMMARY OF COMMON FORCES ACTING ON GRAVITY DAMS

1.Self weight of dam √

2.Water pressure √
3.Uplift pressure √
4.Pressure due to earthquake forces √
5.Wave pressure (caused by wind)
6.Silt pressure (sediments)
7.Ice pressure
WAVE PRESSURE
 The upper portions of dams are subject to the impact of waves.

 Wave pressure against massive dams of appreciable height is usually

of little consequence.

 The force and dimensions of waves depend mainly on the extent

and configuration of the water surface, the velocity of wind and the
depth of reservoir water.

 The height of wave is generally more important in the determination

of the free board requirements of dams to prevent overtopping by
wave splash.
WAVE PRESSURE
 An empirical method has been recommended by T. Saville for
computation of wave height hw (m), which takes into account the
effect of the shape of reservoir and wind velocity over water surface
rather than on land by applying necessary correction.

 Wind velocity of 120 km/h over water in case of normal pool

condition and of 80 km/h over water in case of maximum reservoir
condition should generally be assumed for calculation of wave
height if meteorological data is not available.
WAVE PRESSURE
 Sometimes the following Molitor’s empirical formulae are used to
estimate wave height.

 where Vw = wind velocity in km/hr and F = fetch length of reservoir

in km.
WAVE PRESSURE
 Wave pressure diagrams can be approx by triangle l-2-3

 Max pressure Pw in kPa

occurs at 0.125hw, above
the still water level and is
given by Pw= 24hw

 The total wave force

Pw, (in kN) is given by
the area of triangle
Pw= 20hw
SUMMARY OF COMMON FORCES ACTING ON GRAVITY DAMS

1.Self weight of dam √

2.Water pressure √
3.Uplift pressure √
4.Pressure due to earthquake forces √
5.Wave pressure (caused by wind) √
6.Silt pressure (sediments)
7.Ice pressure
EARTH & SILT PRESSURE
 Gravity dams are subjected to earth pressures on the downstream
and upstream faces where the foundation trench is to be backfilled.

 Except in the abutment sections in specific cases, earth pressures

have usually a minor effect on the stability of the structure and may
be ignored.

 Silt is treated as a saturated cohesionless soil having full uplift and

whose value of internal friction is not materially changed on account
of submergence
EARTH & SILT PRESSURE
 IS code recommends that a) Horizontal silt and water pressure is
assumed to be equivalent to that of a fluid with a mass of 1360
kg/m3, and b) Vertical silt and water pressure is determined as if silt
and water together have a density of 1925 kg/m3.
SUMMARY OF COMMON FORCES ACTING ON GRAVITY DAMS

1.Self weight of dam √

2.Water pressure √
3.Uplift pressure √
4.Pressure due to earthquake forces √
5.Wave pressure (caused by wind) √
6.Silt pressure (sediments) √
7.Ice pressure
ICE PRESSURE
 Ice expands and contracts with changes in temperature.

 In a reservoir completely frozen over, a drop in the air temperature

or in the level of the reservoir water may cause the opening up of
cracks which subsequently fill with water and frozen solid. When the
next rise in temperature occurs, the ice expands and, if restrained, it
exerts pressure on the dam.

 The problem of ice pressure in the design of dam is not really

encountered in Tanzania except, perhaps, if ?????.
WIND PRESSURE
 Wind pressure does exist but is seldom a significant factor in the
design of a dam.

 Wind loads may, therefore, be ignored.

GENERAL ADVANTAGES OF DAMS
The benefits of dams are usually to the advantage of humans. They
may include:
 Irrigation
 Hydroelectric production
 Flood control
 Recreational opportunities
 Navigation
 Industrial and Domestic water supply
 Aeration of water

For animals the benefits may include:

 Larger numbers of fish and birds in the reservoir

 Greater habitat diversity
GENERAL DISADVANTAGES OF DAMS
Changes in temperature and flow in the river downstream from the
dam
Loss of flowing water habitat and replacement withstanding water
(reservoir) habitat
Interruption of animal movements along the course of the river
Possible alteration of the fish community in the region of the river
Interruption of genetic exchange among populations inhabiting the
river course
Reduction in the delivery of river nutrients to downstream section of
the river because ofen trapment by the reservoir
The loss of the floodplain habitat and connectivity between the river
and bordering habitats upland