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Dams

The document discusses different types of dams including embankment dams, concrete dams, and arch dams. It covers dam design considerations such as permeability, stability, and dealing with water pressure. The construction process and various construction methods are also outlined.

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sinikiwe2004
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
27 views27 pages

Dams

The document discusses different types of dams including embankment dams, concrete dams, and arch dams. It covers dam design considerations such as permeability, stability, and dealing with water pressure. The construction process and various construction methods are also outlined.

Uploaded by

sinikiwe2004
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 27

CONSTRUCTION METHODS & MATERIALS 1B

DAMS
Chapter 4:Dams

Outcomes:

• Discuss the function of a dam

• Identify types of dams

• Define the process of planning dams

• Explain design and construction

• Outline the importance of water conservation

2
Dams
Definition: Dams are water-retaining structures - Holding water for later usage.
Uses
• Potable water
• Hydro-electric
• Industrial & domestic use
• Irrigation
• Flood control & sediment retention
• Recreation
• Waste water containment

3
4
Terminology

• Permeability – water-tightness

• Piping – seepage through dam wall

• Washing of fines – due to waves

• Rip-rap – layer of hand-packed stones

• Core/corewall- central core

• Crest – top of embankment

6
Terminology

• Filters – prevents migration of fines


• Spillway – overflow channel
• Toe drain – downstream drain
• Freeboard – extra height to prevent overflow
• Arch dams – curved concrete shell
• Gravity dams – mass concrete dams

7
Curved Concrete Dams

• Crest serves as roadway

8
Dam Feasibility Study
Site Selection
• Width, shape, depth, foundations, spillway, availability of materials

Site investigation
• Topography, geology, permeability, hydraulic models

Detailed investigation
• Water supply, floodlines, sedimentation, limitations, environmental, evaporation,
wind tide and waves, earthquakes.
9
Dam Types

Embankment dams
• Earth dams
• Rockfill dams
Concrete dams
• Arch dams
• Gravity dams
• Buttress dams

10
Design Considerations

Sliding and overturning


• Specialist consulting engineers
Secondary considerations
• Overtopping
• Scour
• Wave action
• Leakage
• Earth movements

11
Embankment (earth) dam design components

• Internal core of impervious material


• Cut-off core to impermeable rock
• Crest – top section used as road and protected against overflow and erosion by
adequate freeboard
• Spillway to allow for controlled overflow
• Rip rap bedding
• Drains - Internal and toe drains

12
Embankment (earth) dam

13
Embankment dam design considerations

• Permeability
• Compression and shrinkage
• Washing of fines (use of rip-rap)
• Stability of dam – shear forces
• Availability of construction materials

14
Design of embankment dams: Hydraulic aspects

• Seepage due to head of water

• Seepage lines (flowlines) through embankment

• Gravel and rock filter at downstream toe to accommodate seepage

• Adequate freeboard to prevent overtopping

15
Embankment dam design: general considerations

• Homogenous vs Zoned dams


• Same type of material throughout offers consistency.
• Zoned dam with core wall at centre.
• Differential settlement
• Prone to earthquake damage during construction

• Impervious water-faced dam


• One-third to half of dam is constructed from impervious material

16
Advantages & disadvantages

+Materials readily available

+Easy to construct

+Cheaper than concrete structures

+Can accommodate movements in foundations

-Considerably more maintenance

-Special overflow required

17
Concrete Dams
• Gravity Dams

18
Concrete Dam Design
• Gravity dams
• Gariep dam on Orange River
• 1,73million cubic meters of concrete
• Must have a solid foundation
• Resist horizontal thrust of water
• Resist dead load of dam wall
• Resist up thrust due to ground water pressure
• Apron to prevent erosion

19
Concrete dams
• Buttress dams
• Sloping upstream face allows
water to add to vertical forces.
• High cost of shuttering.
• Simple arch dams
• Water pressure transferred to
banks
• Complex design and
expensive construction

20
Dam construction

Specialized field of civil engineering

Teamwork between civil, mechanical, electrical engineers &

environmentalists, geologists, hydrologists.

Each dam site is unique

21
Construction types

Rock-fill dams

• Compacted rock fill obtained from quarry located close to dam

• Central clay core or lined with concrete on upstream slope

Earth-filled embankment dams

• Compacted earth from borrow pits with central clay core

• Drainage and wave action control

22
Types of dam construction

Concrete dams

• Construction materials are more stable

• Outlet and inlet structures can be built

• Can be built with masonry bedded in mortar, formed concrete or roller compacted

23
Arch dam with central spillway

24
Energy dissipaters reduce
force of water flowing
from the spill way.

25
Water Conservation
• Scarce commodity

• Inconsiderate and irresponsible use

• Converting sea water into potable water - large cost

• Recycled sewerage or grey water

• Average city dweller uses 140 liter per day

• How can we conserve water???

26
Questions

27

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