INDEX

CONTENT page no.

1. INTRODUCTION 7
1.1.1. GRAVITY DAM 7

2. SELECTION OF DAM SITE 10

3. FORCES ACTING ON GRAVITY DAM 10
3.1.1. WATER PRESSURE 11
3.1.2. UPLIFT PRESSURE 12
3.1.3. PRESSURE DUE TO EARTHQUAKE FORCES 13
3.1.4. SILT PRESSURE 16
3.1.5. WAVE PRESSURE 17
3.1.6. ICE PRESSURE 18

4. MODES OF FAILURE 21
4.1.1. OVER-TURNING 21
4.1.2. CRUSHING 21
4.1.3. TENSION 22
4.1.4. SLIDING 23

5. STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF GRAVITY DAMS 24

5.1.1. STABILITY ANALYSIS ASSUMPTIONS 24
5.1.2. STABILITY ANALYSIS PROCEDURE 25
5.1.3. STABILITY ANALYSIS GRAPHICAL METHOD 26

6. ELEMENTARY PROFILE OF GRAVITY DAMS 26

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LIST OF FIGURES page no.

Fig.1: Bhakra nangal dam 5

Fig.2: Sardar Sarovar Dam 5

Fig.3: Water pressure 8

Fig.4: Uplift pressure 10

Fig.5: Wave pressure 15

Fig.6: Fetch of water 15

Fig.7: Ice load 16

Fig.8: Weight of dam 16

Fig.9: Elementary profile 27

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 1. INTRODUCTION

GRAVITY DAMS

A gravity dam is a dam constructed from concrete or stone masonry and designed to hold

back water by primarily utilizing the weight of the material alone to resist the horizontal

pressure of water pushing against it. Gravity dams are designed so that each section of the

dam is stable, independent of any other dam section.

Gravity dams generally require stiff rock foundations of high bearing strength (slightly

weathered to fresh); although they have been built on soil foundations in rare cases. The

bearing strength of the foundation limits the allowable position of the resultant which

influences the overall stability. Also, the stiff nature of the gravity dam structure is

unforgiving to differential foundation settlement, which can induce cracking of the dam

structure.

Gravity dams provide some advantages over embankment dams. The main advantage being

that they can tolerate minor over topping flows as the concrete is resistant to scouring. This

reduces the requirements for a cofferdam during construction and the sizing of the spillway.

Large overtopping flows are still a problem, as they can scour the foundations if not

accounted for in the design. A disadvantage of gravity dams is that due to their large

footprint, they are susceptible to uplift pressures which act as a de-stabilising force. Uplift

pressures (buoyancy) can be reduced by internal and foundation drainage systems which

reduces the pressures.

During construction, the setting concrete produces a exothermic reaction. This heat expands

the plastic concrete and can take up to several decades to cool. When cooling, the concrete is

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in a stiff state and is susceptible to cracking. It is the designers task to ensure this doesn't

occur.

The most common classification of gravity dams is by the materials composing the structure:

Concrete dams include

o mass concrete dams, made of:

 conventional concrete

 Roller-Compacted Concrete (RCC)

 Upper Stillwater Dam

o masonry

o hollow gravity dams, made of reinforced concrete

Composite dams are a combination of concrete and embankment dams.

Construction materials of composite dams are the same used for concrete and embankment

dams.

Gravity dams can be classified by plan (shape):

 Most gravity dams are straight (Grand Coulee Dam).

 Some masonry and concrete gravity dams have the dam axis curved (Shasta Dam,
Cheesman Dam) to add stability through arch action

Gravity dams can be classified with respect to their structural height:

 Low, up to 100 feet.

 Medium high, between 100 and 300 feet.
 High, over 300 feet.

 A Gravity dam has been defined as a “structure which is designed in such a way that

its own weight resist the external forces”. This type of a structure is most durable and

solid and requires very less maintenance.

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 Such dams are constructed of masonry or Concrete.

 However, concrete gravity dams are preferred these days and mostly constructed.

Fig.1: Bhakra nangal dam

Fig.2: Sardar Sarovar Dam

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 2. SELECTION OF DAM SITE

The selection of Dam site for constructing a dam should be governed by the following
factors.

 Suitable foundation must be available.

 For economy, the length of the dam should be as small as possible, and for a given height, it

should store the maximum volume of water.

 The general bed level at dam site should preferably be higher than that of the river basin. This

will reduce the height of the dam.

 A suitable site for the spillway should be available in the near vicinity.

 Materials required for the construction of dam should be easily available, either locally or in

the near vicinity.

 The value of land and property submerged by the proposed dam should be as low as possible.

 The dam site should be easily accessible, so that it can be economically connected to

important towns and cities.

 Site for establishing labour colonies and a healthy environment should be available near the

site.

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3. FORCES ACTING ON GRAVITY DAM

The Various external forces acting on Gravity dam may be:

• Water Pressure

• Uplift Pressure

• Pressure due to Earthquake forces

• Silt Pressure

• Wave Pressure

• Ice Pressure

• The stabilizing force is the weight of the dam itself

WATER PRESSURE

• Water Pressure (p) is the most major external force acting on such a dam. The horizontal

water pressure, exerted by the weight of the water stored on the upstream side of the dam can

be estimated from rule of hydrostatic pressure distribution. Which is triangular in Shape,

When the upstream face is vertical the intensity is Zero at the water surface and equal to ΥH

at the base; whereΥ is the unit weight of water and H is the depth of water. The resultant force

due to this external water force

P=½Υ H 2 , acting at H/3 from base.

When the upstream face is partly vertical and partly inclined, the resulting water force can be

resolved into horizontal Component ( Ph) and Vertical Component ( Pv ) The Horizontal

Component Ph= ½ γH2 act at H/3 from the base, & the vertical component ( Pv ) is equal to

weight of the water stored in column ABCA and acts at the C.G. of the Area. Similarly, if

there is tail water on the downstream side, it will have horizontal and vertical components.

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 Fig.3: Water pressure

UPLIFT PRESSURE

• Water Seeping through the pores, cracks and fissures of the foundation material, and water

seeping through dam body and then to the bottom through the joint between the body of the

dam. It is the second major external force and must be accounted for in all calculations. Such

an uplift force virtually reduces the downward weight of the body of the dam and hence, acts

against the dam stability.

• Water Seeping through the pores, cracks and fissures of the foundation material, and water

seeping through dam body and then to the bottom through the joint between the body of the

dam. It is the second major external force and must be accounted for in all calculations. Such

an uplift force virtually reduces the downward weight of the body of the dam and hence, acts

against the dam stability.

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 Fig.:4 - Uplift pressure

EARTHQUAKE FORCES

• If the dam is to be designed, is to be located in a region which is susceptible to earthquakes,

allowance must be made for stresses generated by the earthquakes.

• An earthquake produces waves which are capable of shaking the Earth upon which the dam

is resting, in every possible direction.

• The effect of an earthquake is therefore, equivalent to impairing an acceleration to the

foundation of the dam in the direction in which the wave is traveling at the moment,

Earthquake waves may move in any direction and for design purpose, it has to be resolved in

vertical and horizontal components. Hence, two accelerations, i.e..one horizontal acceleration

(άh ) and one vertical acceleration (άv ) are induced by an earthquake. The value of these

acceleration are generally expressed as percentage of the acceleration due to gravity (g) i.e.. ά

= 0.1 g or 0.2 g etc.

• On an average, a value of ά equal to 0.1 to 0.15 g is generally sufficient for high dams in

seismic zones. In areas of no earthquakes or very less earthquakes, these forces may be

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neglected. In extreme seismic regions and in conservative designs, even up to 0.3 g may

sometimes be adopted. However, for areas not subjected to extreme earthquakes, ἀ h = 0.1 g

and ἀ v = 0.05 g may be neglected In extreme seismic regions and in conservative designs,

even a value of 0.3 g may sometimes be adopted.

• Effect of Vertical Acceleration ¿) :- A Vertical acceleration may either downward or

Upward. When it is acting in the upward direction, then the foundation of the dam will be

lifted upward and becomes close to the body of the dam, and thus the effective weight of the

dam will increase and hence, the stress developed will increase.

• When the vertical acceleration is acting downward, the foundation shall try to move

downward away and hence is the worst for the design.

• Such Accelerations will, Therefore exert an Inertial force given by,

W ἀ v (i.e.. Force = Mass x Acceleration) • g

Where W is the total weight of the dam .

Therefore ,the net effective weight of the Dam= W- W .ἀ v g

If ά = kv. g Where Kv is the fraction of gravity adopted for vertical acceleration, such as 0.1

or 0.2 etc] Then, the net effective weight of the dam W- W kv.g = W [ 1-kv] g In other

words, vertical acceleration reduces the unit weight of the dam material and that of water to

(1-kv) times their original unit weights.

Effect of Horizontal Acceleration

Horizontal acceleration may cause the following two forces:

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 i. Hydrodynamic Pressure

ii. Horizontal Inertia force Hydrodynamic Pressures

Horizontal acceleration acting towards the reservoir, causes a momentary increase in the

water pressure, as the foundation and dam accelerates towards the reservoir and the water

resists the movement owing to its inertia, The external pressure owing to its inertia. The extra

pressure exerted by this process is known as Hydrodynamic Pressure.

• According to Von- Karman, the amount of this hydrodynamic force (Pe) is given by.

4H
And it acts at the height of above the base. Pe = 0.555 k h Υ w . H 2
3π

Wherek his the fraction of gravity adopted for horizontal

acceleration, such as 0.1, 0.2 etc.

Υ w = Unit wt of Water.

4H
Moment of this force above Base ¿ M e= Pe = 0.424 Pe
3π

Zangler formulae for Hydrodynamic Force

Pe = 0.726 pe . H

Where pe = 0.726 Cm.k h.Υ w . H 2 Where Cm= Maximum value of Pressure Coefficient for a

given constant slope = 0.735 . Ө 90 0

k h= fraction of Gravity adopted for horizontal acceleration ἀ h= k hg

Υ w = Unit wt of Water.

The moment of this force above base is given as:

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 Me= 0.299 pe . H 2

Me= 0.412 Pe. H

SILT PRESSURE

It has been explained under „ Reservoir Sedimentation‟ that silt gets deposited against the

upstream face of the dam. If h is the height of silt deposited, then the force exerted by this silt

in addition to external water pressure, can be represented by Rankine‟s formula as:

Psilt = ½ γ’H 2 . K a (and it acts at h/3 from base )

(1−sinӨ)
Where, K a is the coefficient of Active Earth Pressure of silt K a =
(1+sin Ө)

Where Ө is the angle of internal friction of Soil, and cohesion is neglected.

γ’ = Submerged unit weight of silt material .

h= height of silt deposited.

• If the upstream face is inclined, the vertical weight of the silt supported on the slope also

acts as a vertical force.In the absence of any reliable data for the type of silt is going to be

h2
deposited.Hence, the total horizontal force will be 3.6 = 1.8 h2 KN/m run and vertical
2

h2
force will be 9.2 = 4.6 h2 KN/ m run. • In most of the gravity dam design, the silt pressure
2

is neglected. The basis for neglecting this force is that, • Initial, the silt load is not present,

and may by the time becomes significant, it gets consolidated to some extent and, therefore,

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and less like a fluid, Moreover, silt deposited in the reservoir is somewhat impervious and

therefore, will help to minimize the uplift under the dam.

WAVE PRESSURE

Waves are generated on the surface of the reservoir by the blowing winds, which causes a

pressure towards the downstream side. Wave pressure depends upon the wave height. Wave

height may be given by the equation

•h w= 0.032 √ V.F + 0.763 – 0.271 (F) ¾ for F < 32 Km.

And

• h w= 0.032 √V.F for F > 32 Km

Where h w= height of water from top of crest and bottom of trough in metre.

V= Wind velocity in Km/ hr

F= Fetch or Straight length of water expanse in Km.

The maximum Pressure Intensity due to wave action may be given by pw= 2.4 Υ w hw

and acts ath w/2 metres above the still water surface.

• The Pressure distribution may be assumed to be Triangle, of height 5 h w/3

• Hence, the total force due to wave action (Pw) • Pw= ½ (2.4 Υ w hw ) . 5 h w/3

Or Pw = 2. Υ w .h w2 = 2 x 9.81 h w2 KN/m • = 19.62 h w2 KN/m • This force acts at a

distance of 3/8h wabove the reservoir surface.

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 Fig. 5:-Wave pressure

Fig.6:-Fetch of water

ICE PRESSURE

The Ice Pressure which may be formed on the surface of the reservoir in cold countries, may

sometimes melt and expand. The dam face has then to resist the thrust exerted by the

expanding Ice. This force acts linearly along the length of the dam and at the reservoir level.

The magnitude of this force varies from 250 to 1500 KN/ m2 depending upon the

temperature variations. On an average, a value of 500 KN/ m2 may be allowed under

ordinary conditions.

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 Fig. 7:-Ice load

WEIGHT OF THE DAM

The weight of the dam body and its foundation is the major resisting force. In two

dimensional analysis of a gravity dam, a unit length of the dam is considered. The Cross-

Section can be divided into rectangles and triangles. The weight of each along with their

C.Gs can be determined. The resultant of all these downward forces will represent the total

weight of the dam acting at the C.Gs of the dam.

0.1 W1

0.1 W2
W1

W2

Fig.8:-Weight of dam

Combination of forces for Designs : The design of a gravity dam should be checked for two

cases i.e. (i) When Reservoir is full (ii) When Reservoir is empty

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Dam Case-I Reservoir Full Case

When reservoir is full, the major forces acting are weight of the dam, external water pressure,

uplift pressure, and earthquake forces in serious seismic zones. The minor forces are: Silt

Pressure, Ice Pressure, and wave Pressure. For the most conservative designs, and from

purely theoretical point of view, one can say that a situation may arise when all the forces

may act together. But such a situation will never arise, hence, all the forces are not taken

generally together. U.S.B.R. has classified the normal load Combinations and extreme load

combinations are given below.

(a) Normal Load Combinations

(i) Water pressure up to normal pool level, normal uplift, silt pressure and ice pressure. This

class of loading is taken when ice force is serious.

(ii) Water pressure up to normal pool level, normal uplift, earthquake forces, and silt

Pressure.

(iii) Water Pressure up to maximum reservoir level (maximum pool level), normal uplift, and

Silt Pressure. (b) Extreme load Combinations (i) Water pressure due to maximum pool level,

extreme uplift pressure without any reduction due to drainage and silt pressure.

Case-II Reservoir Empty Case

(i) Empty reservoir without earthquake forces to be computed for determining bending

diagrams, etc. for reinforcement design, for grouting studies or other purposes.

(ii) Empty reservoir with a horizontal earthquake force produced towards the upstream has to

be checked for non- development of tension at toe.

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4. MODES OF FAILURE

A gravity dam may fail in the following ways:

i. By overturning (or rotation) about the toe.

ii. By Crushing.

iii. By development of tension, causing ultimate failure by crushing.

iv. By shear failure called sliding.

(The failure may occur at the foundation plane (i.e.. at the base of the dam) or at any

other plane at higher level. )

i. Over Turning :

If the resultant of all the forces acting on a dam at any of its sections, passes the toe, the

dam shall rotate and overturn about the toe. • Practically, such a condition shall not arise,

as the dam will fail much earlier by compression. The ratio of the righting moments about

toe to the overturning moments about toe is called the factor of safety against overturning.

Its value generally varies between 2 and 3.

ii. Compression or Crushing :

A dam may fail by the failure of its material, i.e..the compressive stresses produced may

exceed the allowable stresses, and the dam material may get crushed. The vertical direct

stress distribution at the base is given by the eqnP= Direct Stress + Bending Stress

Pmax/min=
∑ V ⌊1±6e/B⌋
B

Where, e = Eccentricity of the resultant force from the centre of the base.

∑ V=Total Vertical force

B= Base Width

Compression or Crushing Reservoir Full Case

iii. Tension :

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Masonry and Concrete gravity dams are usually designed in such a way that no tension is

developed anywhere, because these materials cannot withstand sustained tensile stresses, If

subjected to such stresses, these materials may finally crack. However, for achieving

economy in designs of very high gravity dams, certain amount of tension may be permitted

under severest loading conditions. This may be permitted because of the fact that such

worst loading conditions shall occur only momentarily for a little time and would neither

last long nor occur frequently. The maximum permissible tensile stress for high concrete

gravity dams, under worst loading may be taken as 500 KN/ m2

Gravity Dam Effects produced by Tension Cracks • In a dam, when such a tension crack

develops, say at heel, crack width looses contact with the bottom foundation, and thus,

becomes ineffective. • Hence, the effective width B of the dam base will be reduced. This

will increase pmax at the toe. • Hence, a tension crack by itself does not fail the structure,

but it leads to the failure of the structure by producing excessive compressive stresses.

In order to ensure that no tension is developed anywhere, we must ensure that p min is
at the most equal to Zero. Since

Pmax. =
∑ V ⌊ 1+ 6 e ⌋
B B

Pmin. =
∑ V ⌊ 1− 6 e ⌋
B B

Pmin = 0

∑ V ⌊ 1− 6 e ⌋= 0
B B

6e
(1–
B )=0

e= B/6

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 Hence , maximum value of eccentricity that can be permitted on either side of the centre is equal

to B/6, which leads to the famous statement: the resultant must lie within the middle third

portion of the dam

iv. Sliding :

Sliding (or Shear failure) will occur when the net horizontal force above any plane in the

dam or at the base of the dam exceeds the frictional resistance developed at that level. The

friction developed between the two surfaces is equal to ∑ H < μ ∑ V

Or μ ∑ V > 1 • ∑H

μ ∑ V/ ∑ H represents nothing but the factor of safety against sliding, which must be

greater than unity.

In low dams, the safety against sliding should be checked only for friction, but in high

dams, for economical precise design, the shear strength of the joint is also considered, then

the equation for factor of safety against sliding which is measured by shear friction

becomes

S.F.F = μ ∑ V + B.q • ∑H

Where, B= width of the dam at the joints

q= average shear strength of the joints which varies from about 1400 KN/ m2 for poor

rocks to about 4000 KN/ m2 for good rocks .

5. STRUCTURAL STABILITY OF GRAVITY DAMS

The Stability of a gravity dam can be approximately and easily analyzed by two

dimensional gravity method and can be precisely analyzed by three dimensional methods

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GRAVITY METHOD OR TWO DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

The Preliminary analysis of all gravity dams can be made easily by isolating a typical cross

section of the dam of a unit width. This section is assumed to behave independently of the

adjoining sections.If the vertical traverse Joints of the dam are not grouted or keyed together,

this assumptions is nearly true, Hence, for U-Shaped Valleys, where traverse Joints are not

generally grouted, this assumptions is nearly satisfied, But for narrow V-Shaped Valleys,

Where the traverse joints are keyed together and the entire length of the dam acts

monolithically as a single body, this assumptions may involve appreciable errors.

STABILITY ANALYSIS ASSUMPTIONS

The dam is considered to be composed of a number of Cantilevers, each of which is 1 m

thick and each of which acts independently of the other. • No load is transferred to the

abutments by beam action • The foundation and the dam behave as a single unit, the joints

being perfect. • The material in the foundation and the body of the dam are isotropic and

homogeneous. • The stresses developed in the foundation and the body of the dam are

isotropic and homogeneous. • No movements of dams are caused by the Transfers of loads.

STABILITY ANALYSIS PROCEDURE

Two dimensional analysis can be carried out analytically or graphically

Analytical Method

• Consider unit length of the da

• Work out the magnitude and direction of all the vertical forces acting on the dam

and their algebraic sum i.e. ∑ V

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 • Similarly, work out all the horizontal forces and their algebraic sum, i.e.. ∑ H

• Determine the level arm of all these forces about the toe.

• Determine the moments of all these forces about the toe and find out the algebraic sum of

all those moments i.e.. ∑ M

• Find out the location of the resultant force by determining its distance from the toe.

X= ∑ M /∑ V

• Find out the eccentricity (e) of the resultant R using B – X/ 2

• It must be less than B/6 in order to ensure that no tension is developed anywhere in the

dam

• Determine the vertical stresses at the toe and heel i.e.. P v= ∑V [ 1 6 e] = 0 B B

• Determine the maximum normal Stresses i.e. Principal Stresses at the toe and the heel.

They should not exceed the maximum allowable values. The crushing strength of concrete

varies between 1500 to 3000 KN/ m3 depending upon the grade M15 to M30.

• Determine the factor of safety against overturning as equal to ∑ Stabilizing moment (+) •

∑ Disturbing moment (-) • + vet sign is used for anti clockwise moments and –vet sign is

used for clockwise moments.

• Determine the factor of safety against sliding.

STABILITY ANALYSIS GRAPHICAL METHOD

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• In the graphical method, the entire dam section is divided into number of horizontal

sections at some suitable interval. Particularly at the place where the slope changes.

• For each section, the sum of the vertical forces • ∑V and the sum of all the horizontal

forces ∑ H acting above that particular section, are worked out and the resultant ® is drawn,

graphically.This is done for each section and a line joining all the points where the

individual resultants cut the individual sections, is drawn. This line represents the resultant

force and should lie within the middle third, for no tension to develop. The procedure should

be repeated for reservoir full as well reservoir empty case.

The value of μ generally varies from 0.65 to 0.75

6. Elementary Profile of a Gravity Dam

When the reservoir is Full, the base width is governed by:

the Resultant of all the forces, i.e. P, W and U passes through the outer most middle third

point (i.e. Lower middle third point) .The dam is safe against Sliding.

For the 1st condition to be satisfied, Taking moment of all the forces above the middle third

point we get,

W (B/3) – U (B/3) – p (H/3) = R x 0 • Or (W-U) B/3 – P. H/3= 0

Substituting the values of W, U and P

W= ½ x B x H x 1 x Sc x Υ w

Where, Sc = Sp gravity of Concrete, i.e.. that the material of the dam,

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Υ w = Unit wt of Water= 9.81 KN/ m3

U= ½ CΥ w =H. B Where C is a constant which according to U.S. B.R. Recommendations is

taken as 1.0

P= ½ Υ w .H.H. =Υ w H2/ 2 • Therefore Eqn (W-U) B/3 – P H/3 = 0 • B= H • √ Sc-C • Hence, if

B is taken equal to or greater than • B= H • √Sc-C • No tension will be developed at the heel

with reservoir full condition. Elementary Profile of a Gravity Dam

For the IInd Condition (i.e.. dam is safe in sliding) to be satisfied; the fraction resistance µ ∑γ

or µ (W-U) should be equal to or more than the horizontal forces ∑ H= P

Substituting the values of W, U and P We get,

B= H µ√ (Sc-C)

The value of B chosen should be greater of the two values. Of both the cases.

Elementary & Practical Profile of a Gravity Dam High and Low Gravity Dams. The Principal

Stress for an elementary profile is given by Eqn i.e.. • Б= Υ w H (Sc-C +1)

The value of the principal stress calculated above varies only with H, as all other factors are

fixed. To avoid the dam failure by crushing, the value of Б should be less than or at the most

equal to the maximum allowable compressive stress of dam material.If f represents the

allowable stress of the dam material, then the maximum height (Hmax) which can be

obtained in an elementary profile, without exceeding the allowable compressive stresses of

the dam material, is given as: High and Low Gravity Dams. •

F= Υ w H ( Sc -C+ 1)

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H = f •Υ w ( Sc -C +1)

H max = f Υ w ( Sc +1)

Hence, a low gravity dam is the one whose height is less than the given eqn. If the height of

the dam is more than this, It is known as a high Gravity Dam. High and Low Gravity Dams.

The limiting height of a low concrete gravity dam, constructed in concrete having strength

equal to 3000 KN/ m2 is thus given

H max = fΥ w ( Sc +1) Where,Υ w = 9.81 KN/ m3

Sc = 2.4 ,f= 3000 KN/m2

H max = f = 3000 Υ w ( Sc +1) 9.81 (2.4 +1) = 90 m

Profile of a Dam from Practical Considerations • The elementary profile of a gravity dam,

(i.e.. triangle with maximum water surface at apex) is only a theoretical profile. Certain

changes will have to be made in this profile in order to cater to the practical needs. These

needs are,

i. providing a straight top width for road construction over the top of the dam

ii. providing a free-board above the top water surface, so that water may spill over the top of

the dam due to wave action, etc.

The addition of these two provisions, will cause the resultant force to shift towards the heel.

The resultant force, when the reservoir is empty, was earlier passing through the inner middle

third point. This will, therefore, shift more towards the heel, crossing the inner middle third

point and consequently, tension will be developed at the toe. In order to avoid the

development of this tension, some masonry will have to be added to the upstream side.,

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which shows the typical section along with the possible dimensions that can be adopted for a

low gravity dam section. It should however, be checked for stability analysis.

Profile of a Dam from Practical Considerations

Various Consideration in fixing the parameters of the dam section are as under:

Top width:The top width of dam is generally dictate by the requirement of roadway to be

provided. The most economical top width is 14 % of the dam height. It is also taken to 0.55

H 1/2 is the maximum water depth .Usually the width varies from 6 to 10 m.

Free Board: The Upstream parapet of the roadway above the top of the dam is usually a

solid wall but does not form a part of free board. The free board provide is maximum of

i. 1.33 h w .

ii. 3 to 4 %, usually 5 % of the dam height, whichever is more.

Base Width: The base width of the dam shall be safe against overturning, sliding and no

tension in dam body. The upstream face is kept vertical up to height H 1 to be determined by

trial. Approximately H 1 is equal to

2 a µ√ (Sc-C) , where a is top width of the dam.

Below height H1 batter is provided to upstream and downstream faces to increase the base

width with a view to ensure that no tension develops in the body of the dam. For this, the

resultant force shall be located within the inner middle third and outer middle third for

reservoir in empty and full conditions respectively.

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Fig.9:- Elementary profile of gravity dam.

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7.REFERENCES

1. Wikipedia

2. Irrigation Water Power and Water Resource Engineering (English) By:

K R Arora

3. Npetl lecture:-design and construction of gravity dam

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