Dams

TYPES OF DAMS
 Types of Dams

Dams can be classified according to :

1- Use
2- Design
3- Construction Materials

:
 According to Use :
1- Storage Dams :
I. Annual storage
II. Long term storage
2- Diversion Dams
3- Flood-Control Dams
 Classification According to Hydraulic Design :
1-Overflow Dams (spillways)
2- Non-overflow Dams
 Classification according to material used in
construction :
1- Rigid Dams:
I. Solid masonry or concrete Dams
II. Arced masonry or concrete Dams
III. Buttress Dams
2- Non-Rigid Dams :
I. Rock fill Dams
II. Earth Dams
III. Earthen-Rockfill Dams
 Dams

THE CONSIDERATION FOR CHOOSING THE LOCATION

OF THE DAM
The consideration for Choosing the Location of the
Dam
1. the suitability of the type to sites in wide valleys and relatively steepsided
gorges alike;
2. adaptability to a broad range of foundation conditions, ranging from
competent rock to soft and compressible or relatively pervious soil
formations;
3. the use of natural materials, minimizing the need to import or transport
large quantities of processed materials or cement to the site;
4. subject to satisfying essential design criteria, the embankment design is
extremely exible in its ability to accommodate different ll materials, e.g.
earthlls and/or rocklls, if suitably zoned internally
5. the construction process is highly mechanized and is effectively
continuous;
6. largely in consequence of 5, the unit costs of earthll and rockll have
risen much more slowly in real terms than those for mass concrete
7. properly designed, the embankment can safely accommodate an
appreciable degree of deformation and settlement without risk of serious
cracking and possible failure.
 Dams site Evaluation

The viability of the preferred dam site identied in a reservoir feasibility study
must be positively established.
Extensive investigations are conducted to conrm that the site can be
developed on the desired scale and at acceptable cost.
The nature of the soil and rock formations present, critical to foundation
integrity, must be proved by subsurface exploration.
Emphasis is placed upon conrmation of site geology and geotechnical
characteristics, and on the evaluation of sources of construction materials.
Foundation competence is determined by stability, load-carrying capacity,
deformability, and effective impermeability.
In the case of a difcult site, the site evaluation programme can be protracted
and expensive. Expenditure may be of the order of 1% up to, exceptionally, 2.5
or 3% of the anticipated cost of the dam.
The scope of individual aspects of an investigation reects circumstances
unique to the site. The investigation may also relate to a specic type of dam if
site conditions are such that options are restricted.