It is defined as a solid wall, curved in plan,

standing across the entire width of the river

valley, in a single span.
Structurally behave:

Partly

as a cantilever retaining wall standing up

from its base, and
Partly, the load will be transferred to the two ends
of the arch span by horizontal arch action.

Transfer a large part of their loading by

cantilever action.
Depending upon the shape consideration:

Constant

radius arch dams

Variable radius arch dams
Constant angle arch dams

Constant radius arch dams

Extrados and Intrados

Variable radius arch dams

Extrados and Intrados

Constant angle arch dams

Extrados and Intrados

Water Pressure
Uplift Pressure
Pressure due to Earthquake forces
Silt Pressure
Wave Pressure
Ice Pressure

Thin cylinder theory

Method

gives wrong results and can relied only

upon rough estimation of dimensions of arches.

Theory of Elastic arches

Dam

divided into horizontal independent arches.

The Trial Load method

Dam divided into

The horizontal arches
The vertical cantilevers
8

Thin cylinder theory

Reaction, R w h r
Compressive stress,

R w hr

t
t
Allowable compressive stress,
w hr
f c
t
9

Central angle for minimum concrete

V r (2 ) t
V

w h
fc

r 2 (2 )

L
r
2 sin
2 133 34
0

10

Limitation of Thin cylinder theory

The

arch sections are not thin cylinders. They are

also not free at abutments, as assumed in theory.
The theory does not consider shear and bending
stresses in the arch.
Analysis is based only on hydrostatic pressure. Ice
pressure and temperature stresses, though are
important, not considered in the theory.
Stressed due to yielding of abutments and those
due to rib shortening have not been accounted.
Plastic flow of concrete and shrinkage of concrete
not accounted for.
11

Thin Elastic theory

Temperature stresses, due to temperature
changes
Shrinkage stresses, due to setting of concrete
Stresses due to yielding of abutments

No

abutment is rigid and yields to an extent

depends upon the nature of rock.

Stresses due to rib shortening

Caused

due to restriction of change in span.

12

General formulas

x
M M A M B M A H y
L

13

Deck slab type

Multiple arch type

14

Simply Supported
Slab type
Buttress spacing and
Deck slope
Most economical spacing
of
buttresses

minimum thickness of
concrete is fully utilised.

15

Simply Supported Slab type

Buttress spacing and Deck slope
Height, thickness and spacing of buttresses
Height of buttress
Slenderness ratio =
= 12 15
Thickness of buttress
Spacing of buttress

Massiveness factor =

= 2.5 3

Thickness of buttress

Concrete quantity/ m
2 1
Vc 0.208H cot
length of dam
Fs

16

17

Multiple Arch type

Daniel Jhonson Dam, Quebec, Canada

Multiple arch and buttress dam (Height 216m)
18

Multiple Arch type

19

Other types

Multiple Dome type

Coolidge Dam, Arizona,

USA Multiple dome
and
buttress
dam
(Height 75.95m)

20

Other types

Massive Head type

21

Massive Head type Advantages

The

construction work is easier.

Since water pressure acts radially in a cylindrical
type, and perpendicular in a diamond type, all
pressures are normally compressive.
Since the deck is not to ne reinforced, there is no
question of failure by rusting of steel.
For smaller heights, they prove to give more
economical buttress spacing.
Such a dam body offers more resistance to sliding,
because it is considerably heavier.
22

Other types

Columnar Buttress type Disadvantages :

Require very strong and stable foundations
More skill is required in constructing the buttresses.

23

 Hydraulic Structures

24