Multipurpose Reservoirs: Dams

The most common types of dams are:

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Gravity Dam
Arch Dam
Earth Embankment Dam
Roller Compacted Dam

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Gravity Dam

Basically, gravity dams are solid concrete structures that maintain their stability against design loads from the geometric
mass and strength of the concrete. Generally, they are constructed on a straight axis, but may be slightly curved or angle
accommodate the specific site conditions. Gravity dams typically consist of a nonoverflow section(s) and an overflow s
spillway. The two general concrete construction methods for concrete gravity dams are conventional placed mass concr

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More information is available by accessing the EM for this feature:

EM 1110-2-2200: Engineering and Design - Gravity Dam Design

Arch Dam

An Arch Dam is typically constructed in a location with Canyon walls and takes advantage of the arch action in the dam
forces in the dam to the rock canyon walls as well as the base. The design and shape of the dam is determined by the sit
and the steepness and width of the canyon walls. The use of the arch action reduces the amount of concrete required to c
and is most commonly used for high head dams in deep canyons.

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More information is available by accessing the EM for this feature:

EM110-2-2201: Engineering and Design - Arch Dam Design

Earth Embankment Dam

The typical Earth Embankment Dam has several feature shown here. An earth embankment constructed of compacted fi
depending on the site conditions and foundation material to preclude and or control seepage of the water through and un
Various design examples are shown on the sketches that follow. In addition, an emergency spillway is provided to pass
of water during floods to prevent overtopping of the dam. Finally, a control house operates a set of gates which controls
water passing through the outlet works to maintain flow in the river downstream of the dam during normal operations o

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More information is available by accessing the EM for this feature:

EM 1110-2-2300: Engineering and Design - General Design and Construction Considerations For Earth and Rock-Fill D

Central Core
For earthen dams constructed on an impervious rock foundation a center impervious core with a connected vertical and
drainage system is ofter used tyo control the seepage through the dam

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Inclined

For Earthen dams constructed on an impervious rock foundation, and impervious layer of material along with a sloped d
system is used to control the seepage through the dam. This design is often used when the core material in the dam is of
impervious quality.

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Homogeneous

When an earthen dam is constructed on a pervious layer of material which is too extensive to excavate, a slurry cutoff w
constructed on the upstream part of the dam connected to an impervious section of the dam. Under-seepage in this case
in the foundation and through seepage in controlled by a sloped and horizontal system of grains in the embankment.

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Pervious Foundation

Another option for control seepage ander and through a dam on a pervious foundation is to excavate the impervious ma
center of the cam and place an impervious core in both the foundation and dam embankment along with a drainage syst
downstream side of the core to collect and control and seepage through the core.

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Upstream Impervious

For Earth dams constructed on a pervious foundation,an upstream impervious layer with an impervious blanket is used
the flow of water through and under the dam. The water which does flow through the dam is collected by a vertical and
drainage system combined with relief wells to control the seepage and transport it to the downstream toe of the dam.

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Roller Compacted Dam

Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC)I s "concrete compacted by roller compaction; concrete that, in its unhardened state,
roller while being compacted." Properties of hardened RCC can be similar to those of conventionally placed concrete. H
Roller Compacted Concrete can also be made with hardened properties that are outside the range of typical properties o
conventionally placed concrete. The term "roller compaction" is defined as "a process for compacting concrete using a r
vibrating roller."

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Revised 14 May 2008