Orminita, Lorenz Emmanuel E.

Types of Dams: Advantages and Disadvantages

A.] Gravity Dam

The rigid dam which is constructed either with stone or brick masonry or mass concrete, is
called a solid gravity dam. As solid gravity dams resist the overturning moments due to all
external forces (such as water pressure, slit pressure etc) by its own weight only, these are
known as solid gravity dams. Such a dam is very strong and rigid and requires least
maintenance.

Advantages

1. These are more suitable in steep valleys where earth dams may tend to slip.
2. In these dams, surplus water may be discharged through the sluices provided in the
body of the dam or over spillway built in a suitable location of the dam.
3. Such dams, when built on strong foundation, may be built upto a maximum practical
height.
4. A gravity dam does not fail suddenly. Their failure can be predicted well in advance so
that loss of life and property may be saved.
5. Their cost of maintenance is least and benefit of cost ratio is highest.
6. These are found more advantageous in the regions of high rainfall and heavy snowfalls.
7. In these dams, sedimentation of the reservoir, may be cleared through deep set sluices.

Disadvantages

1. Their initial cost of construction is high.

2. Their construction period is comparatively more.
3. These require a strong and sound foundation.
4. Dams once constructed, cannot be raised further.
5. For the supervision of concrete dams, skilled labor is required.
B.] Embankment/Earth Dams

The dams which are built of rock, gravel, sand, silt or clay in various combinations by placing,
rolling or tamping these materials, are called Earth Dams or Non-rigid Dams.

Advantages

In spite of the structural incompressibity of earth and water, many earth dams have been
constructed with various types of earth and rock with stable conditions. The main advantages
of earth dams are as follow:

1. AVAILABILITY OF EARTH MATERIALS

Earth is readily available in most parts of the world close to possible dam sites. Now a days the
knowledge of soil mechanics has further enhanced the chances to make unstable earth dam as
stable.

2. EASY HANDLING OF EARTH

Earth can be excavated by hand, transported in baskets and compacted with cattles walking
over it. In suitable situation, earth can be handled and moved with latest machinery.

3. FOUNDATION CONDITION

Earth dams are suited to the sites where a masonry dam cannot be used for structural reasons.
These dams can be constructed even on compressible foundations.

4. COST OF CONSTRUCTION

The most important advantage of an earth dam compared to masonry dam, is its lesser cost. It
has been observed that the total cost of an earth dam, is roughly one-half of a concrete dam.

Disadvantages

1. Non-availability of the materials at or near the dam site.

2. Greater maintenance cost as compared to a good concrete dam.
3. Earthen dams are unsuitable for spillways.
C.] Arch Dam

Advantages

1. Arch dam is proved most economical and efficient when the width of the canyon or
valley to be spanned on the river is least.
2. As a major share of the impounding water thrust is taken by abutment walls resting on
the sides of the canyon, thus these must be stable, strong and firm.
3. Arch dam can be used most economically on a terrain where width of the valley is less
than 6 times of its height or in other words B/h ratio is less than 6.
4. If the area is remote such that the naturally available material are not enough to provide
sufficient supply of concrete or earth-fill arch dam should be used as it needs minimum
amount of construction concrete.

Disadvantages

The design and construction of an arch dam is very complex and requires skilled labor and strict
supervision. The shuttering will be unique and costly taking major share of the cost of the dam.

D.] Buttress Dam

A buttress dam consists of a continuous inclined upstream face supported by downstream

buttresses at regular intervals. They may be of deck slab type. Multiple arch type, multiple
dome type or bulk head type.

Advantages

1. It requires less materials for construction

2. It can be constructed on even weak foundation as pressure on foundation is quite less
3. The water pressure acts normal to the inclined deck. Hence the vertical components of
water pressure stabilizes the dam against overturning and sliding.

Disadvantages

1. It requires more for work than solid concrete dams.

2. As Thickness of upstream concrete surface is less, it is more liable to get deteriorated
3. It requires constant maintenance and supervision.
4. Life of dam is less as compared to other dams.