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available and the height of the dam is relatively low, a homogeneous dam with
internal drain may be used as shown in below figure 3-a. The inclined drain
serves to prevent the downstream slope from becoming saturated and
susceptible to piping and/or slope failure and to intercept and prevent piping
through any horizontal cracks traversing the width of the embankment. Earth
dams with impervious cores, as shown in Figures 3-b and 3-c, are constructed
when local borrow materials do not provide adequate quantities of impervious
material. A vertical core located near the center of the dam is preferred over an
inclined upstream core because the former provides higher contact pressure
between the core and foundation to prevent leakage, greater stability under
earthquake loading, and better access for remedial seepage control. An inclined
upstream core allows the downstream portion of the embankment to be placed
first and the core later and reduces the possibility of hydraulic fracturing.
However, for high dams in steep-walled canyons the overriding consideration is
the abutment topography. The objective is to fit the core to the topography in
such a way to avoid divergence, abrupt topographic discontinuities, and serious
geologic defects. For dams on pervious foundations, as shown in Figure 3-d to 3f, seepage control is necessary to prevent excessive uplift pressures and piping
through the foundation.
downstream face of the dam and the portion of the dam on downstream side of
the impervious core should be well drained.
3. Uplift pressure due to the seepage underneath is not enough to cause
piping
4. The slopes of the embankment are stable under all conditions of
reservoir operation, including rapid drawdown and during steady seepage under
full reservoir.
5. The stresses imposed by the embankment upon the foundation are less
than the strength of material in the foundation with a suitable factor of safety.
6. The upstream face is properly protected ((stone pitching, riprap,
revetment) against erosion caused by wave action, and the downstream face is
protected (counter-booms, turfs) against the action of rain.