A WATER RESOURCES TECHNICAL PUBLICATION

ENGINEERING MONOGRAPH No. 36

Guide for Preliminary Design

of Arch Dams
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
A WATER RESOURCES TECHNICAL PUBLICATION

Engineering Monograph No. 36

Guide for Preliminary Design

of Arch Dams
By HOWARD L. BOGGS
Division of Design
Office of Design and Construction,
Engineering and Research Center,
Denver, Colorado

United States Department of the Interior •

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
 As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the
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a
interests of all our people. The Department also has major respon·
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ENGINEERING MONOGRAPHS are prepared and used by the technical

staff of the Bureau of Reclamation. In the interest of dissemination of
research experience and knowledge, they are made available to other interested
technical circles in Government and private agencies and to the general public
by sale through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C.

First Printing: November 1966

Second Printing: August 1975
Third Printing: January 1977

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 1977

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, TJ.S. Government Printing Office, Wash-
ington, D.C. 20402, or the Engineering and Researeh Center, Bureau of Reclamation,
Attention 922, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colo. 8022fi. Price 80 cPnts.
Stock Number 024-003-00097-3 Catalog Number l 27.34 :36/97i'i
Preface

IN THEIR PLANNING of water resources develop- In the past, there has been no convenient
ment projects, Bureau of Reclamation engineers . method of preparing preliminary designs of arch
may be required to prepare preliminary layouts dams. This monograph provides a rapid method
and estimates of arch dams. Such preliminary to aid engineers in preparing such designs. The
studies aid the project planners in evaluating engineers will find the empirical formulas and
the feasibility of arch dams and their relationship charts developed here useful as a guide in pre-
liminary layouts. They will also find that the
to other types of dams in the project plans in
formulas are useful in reanalyzing previous
terms of comparative economy, availability of preliminary designs to obtain more accurate
construction materials, and other technical con- estimates of dimensions and volumes of arch
siderations. dams being considered in project plans.

iii
Summary

HE EMPIRICAL FORMULAS developed in this Empirical formulas derived from a statistical

T monograph for use by project planners or other

interested persons will assist them in estimat-
ing volumes and basic dimensions for arch dams
analysis of existing concrete arch dam data are:
Tc=O.Ol[H+I.2Ld;
on future projects and in updating past estimates. To.4s=0.95TB;
The information contained here is to be used
only as a guide for the preliminary layout of
concrete arch dams.
Topographic dimensions necessary to compute
thicknesses, projections, and volume are structural USPcREsT=O.O;
height, H, and horizontal distances between USPBAsE=0.67 TB;
abutments including estimated excavation to
USPo.45H=0.95TB;
sound rock at crest elevation, L 1, and 15 percent
2
of H above base, L. Generally, results from V =0.000002H 2 Lf (H +O.SL1 ) ]
the suggested formulas are conservative as L L1-L2
compared with values computed more precisely. +0.0004HLI[H+ l.ILd.

Acknowledgments
John R. Brizzolara and Kenneth G. Bell of and Mr. Bell developed the volumetric formulas
the Stress Analysis Unit, Concrete Dams Section, and prepared the nomographs. The monograph
Dams Branch, Division of Design, 'were major
contributors to this monograph. Mr. Brizzolara was prepared under the supervision of M. D·
assembled major portions of the statistical data Copen, Head of the Stress Analysis Unit.

v
Contents
Page

Preface~---------------------.---------------------------------- iii
Summary_-.-- ____ ----_---------------~------------------_--- __ -- v
Acknowledgments _____ - __ ---_-------------,..---..,--_-_---_-_- ___ - v
Definitions __ - ___ ---_--------------------,..----------_-------_--- 1x
Introduction_-- __ ---_---_-------_------------------------------- 1
Statistical Data ____________ -~_.,-_-.-- . . - _- _- __ -- _----- _- _- _- _- ____ 3
Analyses------------------------------------------------------ 5
Results--------------------------------------------------------- 7
Crown Can til ever~Thicknesses_ _ __ ___ __ ___ __ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ __ __ _ 7
Crown Cantilever-Projections _________ ·_ _ __ _ __ _ __ __ __ __ __ _ _ __ _ 7
Volume____________________________________________________ 10
Limitations and Accuracy____________________________________ 10
Examples _____________________________________________ -·_-______ 13
Example 1-------------------------------------------------- 13
Example 2 ______ _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ _ __ __ __ _ _ __ _ __ __ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ 16
Layout-------------------------------------------------------- 17

LIST OF FIGURES
Number Page
1. Darnsite topography and required dimensions for nornographs and
layout of darn ______________________________________________ _ 2
2. N ornograph for obtaining crest thickness and projections on crown
cantilever ______________________________ -·- _________________ _ 8
3. N ornograph for obtaining base thickness and projections on crown
cantilever _________________________________________________ _ 9
4. N ornograph for obtaining V1- _______________________ --- _--- _--- 11
5. Nomograph for obtaining V2---------------------------~------- 12
6. Plan for a preliminary design __________________________________ _ 14
7. Crown cantilever and lines of centers for a preliminary design _____ _ 15
vii
Definitions
CoNCRETE ARCH DAM TERMINOLOGY is not univer- Crown cantilever____ Vertical section positioned about
sal and physical terms used in this guide may, in midway between abutments and
whose base is generally the lowest
some instances, seem ambiguous. For this reason, elevation of the dam.
words, phrases, and symbols used in this guide Structural height ___ _ Vertical distance from crest of dam
referring to arch dams are defined. to lowest point of foundation.
Thickness _________ _ Horizontal distance between up-
Double curvature ____ Continuously curved in plan and
elevation. stream and downstream faces of
Single curvature_____ Curved in plan only. dam on line normal to extrados.
Depth of excavation_ Depth from ground surface to Upstream projection_ Horizontal distance from extrados
sound rock as determined from to axis on line normal to extrados.
available geological sources (geol- Downstream projec- Horizontal distance from intrados
ogists, geologic maps, cores, etc.). tion. to axis on line normal to extrados
Foundation_________ Total mass of sound rock support- (thickness= upstream .projection
ing the dam. +downstream projection).
Abutment_ ____ -- ___ The rock mass which supports the
H =structural height.
horizontal elements, such as can-
yon walls. Tc =thickness a£ crest.
Base_- ____ - - .. _-- ___ Bottom surface of vertical element T B =thickness at base.
resting on foundation. To.4sH=thickness of crown cantilever at 0.45H
Extrados ___________ Curved upstream surface of hori- above base.
zontal arch elements. USP =upstream projection.
Intrados_- _----- ___ Curved downstream surface of hori-
zontal arch elements. DSP =downstream projection.
Crest ______________ Top of dam. L1 =straight line distance at crest elevation be-
Axis_- __ -_-_----___ Vertical reference surface, cylindri- tween abutments assumed excavated to
cal in plan and coincident with sound rock.
the extrados at crest elevation. L2 =straight line distance, at 0.15H above base,
Axis radius ___ -- ____ Radius of axis equal to extrados
radius at crest elevation.
between abutments assumed excavated to
Central angle_-_-___ Angle at extrados center formed by sound rock.
lines extended to arch abutments. V =estimated volume of dam.
ix
Introduction

THIS MONOGRAPH is a guide which presents for- From statistical analyses of arch dam geometri-
mulas and charts for preliminary design of arch cal properties, empirical formulas were developed
dams. Included are the procedure and examples for the rapid determination of initial physical
for preparing a preliminary layout of a concrete dimensions for design and volume estimates. The
more complicated formulas are expressed in
arch dam. Figure 1 shows the topographic map
nomographic charts, shown in figures 2, 3, 4, and
used in example 1. The figure indicates the re- 5. Figure 6 illustrates a plan and figure 7 illus-
quired measurements for determining the volume trates the crown cantilever and lines of centers for
of the datn and dimensions 0f the crown cantilever. example 1.
2 GUIDE FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF ARCH DAMS

-0
RIVER lC)
----c:-- lC)

FIGURE 1.-Damsite topography and required dimensions for nomographs and layout of dam. For example 1: H=estimated
structural" height (290 feet); L 1 =chord length, crest elevation (550 feet); L 2 =chord length, 0.15H above base (160feet);
and crest assumed at elevation 325. -
Statistical Data
DATA usED in the statistical analysis were taken d. Length and central angle of lowest theoretical
from analytical studies currently on file in the arch in analysis.
Stress Analysis Unit. Data used in preparation e. Thickness and upstream projection at base of
of this guide include: crown cantilever.
f. Volume of dam.
a. Structural height.
g. Sustained modulus of elasticity of concrete
b. Length, thickness, and central angle of a.rch and rock.
at crest of dam. h. Approximate loaded foundation area.
c. Axis radius. 1. Profile of dam developed along axis.

3
Analyses
STATISTICAl~ ANALYSES of tabulated data were width near the base, enable both canyon shapes to
based on observation, experience, and intuition. be handled with a single formula. The most satis-
Combinations of height, thicknesses, projections, factory elevation for measuring the lower canyon
and distances were incorporated with constant or width is- 15 percent of the structural height above
variable coefficients in linear, nonlinear, or expo- the base.
nential equations to determine proper relation- Difficulties experienced in arriving at simple
ships for the basic dimensions and v·olume. equations were due in part to the inclusion of ·data
A foremost consideration in developing empirical for both single and double curvature dams.
formulas for concrete arch dams is the shape of the
Although a greater number of single curvature
canyon. Initially, the tabulated data were sepa-
rated into two general canyon shapes, U and V. dams have been designed, data from the more
Several formulas were developed in part for each efficient double curvature concrete dams were used
shape, considering arc length at crest and struc- to develop the final empirical formulas. As more
tural height. These observations disclosed to double curvature arch dams are designed, more
some degree the relative importance of the selected data may become availt1ble for refinements in the
variables. Including another variable, the canyon formulas and nomographs.

5
Results
HE MOST IMMEDIATE INFORMATION necessary
a/ · (H)4~
T for the design of a concrete arch dam for a
reconnaissance study is an estimate of the
volume and a general plan. As a result of the
TB=v o.oo12 H L1 k

c. Thickness at 0.45H, in feet,

400

statistical analyses, empirical formulas were de-

veloped for computing the volume of concrete in
a dam and for sufficient dimensions for a crown
cantilever to produce an adequate shape. Di- Nomographs for estimating the crest and base
mensions, in feet, required for solving the equa- thicknesses are shown in figures 2 and 3. The
tions are: H, the structural height (which is the crest thickness is found by intersecting the 'f c-scale
vertical distance from the crest of the dam to the with a straight line from H to L 1 in figure 2.
lowest assumed point. of foundation); Lt, the Thickness of the base is obtained from figure 3 by
straight line distance at crest elevation between the following procedure:
abutments, assumed excavated to sound rock; and 1. Mark on the 8 1-scale the intersection of
L2, the straight line distance at 0.15H between a straight line between known values L 1 and
abutments, assumed excavated to sound rock. L2.
2. The base thickness is read from the
Crown Cantilever-Thicknesses TB-scale at the intersection of a straight line
Thicknesses which are necessary for shaping between 81 and the known value H.
the crown cantilever are at the crest, Tc; at the
base, TB; and at 0.45H above the base, To.4sH· Crown Cantilever-Projections
Formulas for computing each of the thicknesses Upstream and downstream projections are hori-
are: zontal distances used to locate the extrados and
a. Crest thickness, in feet,
intrados relative to the reference surface, the axis,
Tc=O.Ol[H+L2 Ld; as shown in figure 2. Projections related to the
b. Base thickness, in feet, preceding three thicknesses are defined as follows:

7
8 GUIDE FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF ARCH DAMS

1200 84 6000 - T~t-_-_-_-;~ ~-~-~c~~-s~------ -- Raxoa------ -----.---- -l

USP=O.O -~·· ·~ ~'
80 1-·osP = Tc

1100

70 5000
1000

USP:Q9S~~ ~-_.L_., :;·DSP:O.O

900
60
---r·'· . --
4000

800 ~
•d
!50
I

I
700 ,.·BASE
_j__ ----, - _l_ -----
I '
,..USP DSPk-
1 :
3000 ;..,. - Te -->-1
40
600
NOTES
Dimensions required for using charts
H =Estimated structural height of dam from crest to
base Including assumed depth of excavation.
500 L 1 =Straight line distance at crest elevation between
30
abutments including estimated excavation to sound rock.
2000 L2 =Straight line distance between abutments including estimated
excavation to sound rock at 0. 15H above the base.

400
Procedure
Crest thickness, Tc, on Figure 2
1. Intersect Tc with a straight line from H to L 1
20

Base thickness, Ta, on Figure 3

300
1. Intersect S1 with a straight line from L 1 to L2
1000 2. Intersect Ta with a straight line from H to S1

Upstream projections:
200 At crest, USP = 0.0
At 0.45H, USP = 0.95Ta
At base, USP = 0.67Ta

Downstream projections:
tOO tOO At crest, DSP = T C
H L, At 0.45H, DSP =0.0
At base,_ DSP = 0.33Ta

FIGURE 2.-Nomograph for obtaining crest thickness and projections on crown cantilever.
 RESULTS 9

·1200 6000 154 1200

eoo 1100

5000
500

4000 400

500
5000

1000 500

200
400

500

100
90 200

80
1000
70
-- --
--- -- --
900
,0
800 eo /
...r.--
.J..---
700 50
--- ------:::
/ /

-- ---
600 ---
40

/
//
/
,"'1-
(';'(/
\!I
I
100

90
1500 /
60
/
30
70

eo

ISO

/
/
/
/ 40
/
/
00

50

10

100 100 liS

H L, La
FIGURE 3.-N omograph for obtaining base thickness and projections on crown cantilever. See notes and drawing on figure S.
10 GUIDE FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF ARCH DAMS
a. Crest scale with a straight line between the marks
USP=O.O on the S 1- and 82-scales.
DSP=Tc To obtain V2,
h. base On figure 5-A,
USP=0.67 TB 1. Drawing a straight line between values
Hand L 1 intersecting the X-scale.
DSP=0.33 TB On figure 5-B,
c. At 0.45H 2. Mark on the S 3-scale its intersection
USP=maximum upstream projection=0.95 TB with a straight line between Hand L 1•
DSP=minimum downstream projection=O.O. 3. v2 is found at the intersection of the
V2-scale by a straight line between the
Volume values of X and S 3 • (The X value is scaled
The formula for computing the volume in cubic from figure 5-A.)
yards is: To obtain V,
v, the total volume, is the sum of vl and v2.
where Limitations and Accuracy
Upper and lower limits on the known data are:

100::::;H::::;1,200
and
100 ::::;Ll ::::;6,000
15 ::::;L2::::; 1,200.
Formulas for V1 and V2 are graphically repre-
sented in figures ·4 and 5. The procedure for Upper and lower limits of the results are shown
estimating the yolume from these nomographs is: in the nomographs. The minimum thickness of
To obtain V1, 3 feet in figure 2 is an arbitrary lower limit;
On figure 4-A, factors other than stress become determining
1. Obtain a value of U by intersecting considerations for very thin dams.
the U-scale with a straight line betweep Accuracy of the formulas for volumes and thick-
known values L 1 and L2. nesses is within 10 percent of designed values for
2. The value of W is obtained by inter- 75 percent of the double curvature dams studied.
secting the W-scale with a straight line However, formulas have been adjusted to assure,
from L 1 to known value H. for the most part, conservative quantities and
On figure 4-B, dimensions.
3. Mark on the S 1-scale the intersection Numerical results from the formulas or nomo-
of a straight line between Hand L2. graphs are solely for preliminary design of concrete
4. Indicate on the S2-scale the inter- arch dams-that is, for estimating the quantity
section of a straight line between U and W of mass concrete and computing thicknesses for
(values for U and Ware the scaled values initial layouts or cost estimates. The final design
from figure 4-A). must be prepared by specialists in the design and
5. V1 is now found by intersecting the V1- analysis of arch dams.
 RESULTS 11

1200 6000 5985 15

100

5000
2~ 6000 1200
5000
I 1100
I
300 1000
5000
400o I 900
I
1400 800
4000
I
I 4000
I 100
~o I
I
800
I
3000 I
I(J) 3000 !100
2000 !->--'
I
I 40,000,000
I
I 400
2000 I

10,000,000

2000 500
5,000,000

---
500
1000

200
®-/--~
1,000,000
200
100 180 eoo,ooo

H w L. La
100,000
1000 .®
FIGURE 4·A 10,000 i~ - - - --
900 ---<--
~ 100
eoo [,,..,...
,---- 100
10,000
90

NOTES 100 eo
700
Dimensions required for using charts. e,ooo
H = Estimated structural height of dam from crest 100
800

.~( to base including assumed depth of excavation.

tL 1 = Straight line distance at crest elevation between 10
abutments Including estimated excavation to 1p00
sound rock. !10
L2 =Straight line distance between abutments 500
including estimated excavation to sound rock
at 0.15H above the base. 400 40

Procedure for using charts 2000

On figure 4-A
1. Intersect U with a straight line from L 1 to L2 52 100

50
2. Intersect W with a straight line from H to L 1 500

5000
On Figure 4--8
3. Intersect S1 with a straight line from H to L2
4. Intersect S2 with a straight line from U toW 4000
VI 20
(Values for U and W are obtained from
Figure 4-A) 200 5000
5. Intersect V 1 with a straight line from S1 to S2
180 !1985 15 100

w u FIGURE 4-B
H
FIGURE 4.-Nomographfor obtaining V,. (V= V,+ V2).
12 GUIDE FOR PRELIMINARY DEISGN OF ARCH DAMS

1200 6000 6000 21,900,000 1200 7800

7000
1100
1100 11000
7000
1000 6000

1000 11000
4000
6000 900
5000
900
11,000,000

4,000,000 800
4000 3000
800 5000 4000
3,000,000

100
700
2p00,000

3000
3000
2000
600 600

1,000,000
'500

2000
500
400
500,000
2000
400,000

~~ ........:--® 300,000

200
- .....
1000
1000

900 200,000
400

800
100 100

X L.
700
H
____ ,·-®
600
___
(:_ ~

--<==-= =::--=---
300
(D, 1000

.......:----
50,000 --- - j_ ---too
500
40,000
800
FIGURE 5-A 30,000
400
700
20,000
NOTES 600
Dimensions required for using charts. 200
300
H = Estimated structural height of dam from
crest to base including assumed depth 500
of excavation.
L 1 =Straight line distance at crest elevation
between abutments including estimated
5,000 400
excavation to sound rock. 200
L2 =Straight line distance between abutments 4,000

including estimated excavation to sound

3,000
rock at O.lSH above the base.
300
Procedure for using charts 2,000

On Figure S-A
1. Intersect X with a straight line from
H to L1

On Figure 5-B 100 00 210

2. Intersect S3 with a straight line from
H to L1
3; Intersect V2 with a straight line from
L. 53 v2 H X
SJ to X (Value for X is obtained from
Figure 5-A) FIGURE 5-B

FIG.UBE J5.-Nomographfor obtaining v2. (V= Vt+ V2).

Examples
Two EXAMPLES ARE PRESENTED to demonstrate Downstream projection:
the procedure for using the formulas. Known DSPc=9.5 feet _____________ 10.0 feet.
data are from dams designed and analyzed by the b. At base
Stress Analysis Unit. Actual values used in the
Thickness:
design studied are indica ted .following the com-
puted values.
A typical damsite is shown in figure 1 from
TB= va/ .
0.0012 H Lt L2
(H)4~0
40o
which were measured the dimensions L 1 and L2.
The estimated structural height, H, together with

~ (0.0012)(290)(550)(160)(!~~):
L 1 and L2 are illustrated in the nomographs,
figures 2, 3, 4, and 5. A layout for example 1 =
utilizing procedures outlined in this guide, is
shown in plan in figure 6 and in elevation in =28.9 feet _______________ 27.8 feet.
figure 7.
Upstream projection:
Example 1 USPB=0.67 TB
From the estimated structural height, H =290 = (0.67) (28.9)
feet, and the measured chord lengths from figure 1, =19.4 feet ____________ 20.5 feet.
L1 = 550 feet and L2 = 160 feet, find thicknesses Downstream projection:
and projections on the crown cantilever and DSPB=0.33 TB
volume.
= (0.33) (28.9)
a. At crest =9.5 feet ______________ 7.3 feet.
Thickness:
Tc =0.01[H+1.2Lt] c. At 0.45H
= 0.01 [290+ (1.2) (550)] Thickness:
=9.5 feet ________________ 10.0feet. To.45H=0.95 TB
Upstream projection: = (0.95)(28.9)
USP c = o.o __________________ 0.0 foot. =27 .5 feeL___________ 25.7 feet.
13
 Raxis Center.1
Elevation 325i ____ _
I
+ I
NOTES
...a.
~

·'
6 E 250 = Center
of extrados radius
at elevation 250
OI 250 = Center of intrados radius

i at elevation 250
I

E 250 G)
I 250 c
0

I
I 01 1'1"1
U'l

i 0 "'T'I
, .. Downstream concrete- rock
/ contact line 0:::c
I E 200
""C
I
:::c
N 1'1"1
1200 r
8

i
E150
~
E 100 z
)>
1150 :::c
8 -<
0
1'1"1
(J)
G)
z
0"'T'I
)>
:::c
("'\
I
0
)>
~
(J)

\
100_) '····Upstr~am concrete -rock
contoct Ii ne

FIGURE 6.-Plan for a preliminary design.

 ~/~-Axis of dam
I

Normal w. s. El. 325"1 r:---------------------R

___i:·-,r-j'='-="-"!i:.:9:!! . . -
ox1s- 350
I
------------- ...... ___ ----->4I
El. 305···-<}_
..__:.. l ' : ,--EI. 320
J_L_
Slope 1.50: 1oo··:
~
Y" ~~---Slope 1.25: 1.00

1300R- +
P.C El. 225:~
. . ---~-
:l--r-476R~
I
I
I
I m
EL.165-·. -27.5' : X
~_j __
)>
I
----~- H=290' ~
'"C
I I r
m
V')
I
I

l OOR ----t-
19
"1---4 I I
0.45H :
I I 0
-+
I . \0301"'
.-;--- I ~
I
I
I

:
\ ~SO'fi
\

: .i: ,,------
\

1
,.,. ......'I ,~

El. 35··1 ..: __y___ '· "n trades line '

-,- \
-L-,
1 '···Extrados line
T1 - 28.9·:.
: :r : of centers of centers

MAXIMUM SECTION LINES OF CENTERS

(ALONG PLANE OF CENTERS)

FIGURE 7.-Crown cantilever and lines of centers for a preliminary design. ....
U1
16 GUIDE FOR PRELIMINARY DESIGN OF ARCH DAMS
Upstream projection: At 0.45H:
USPo.4sH=0.95 TB To.45H=0.95 TB
= (0.95) (28.9) = (0.95) (113.6)
=27.5 feet _________ 30.0 feet. =107.9 feeL~-------- 100.0 feet.
Downstream projection: b. Upstream projections
DSPo.45H=O.O foot _____ ""' ___ -4.3 feet. At crest:
d. Volume USPc=O.o ______________________ 0.0.
At base:
USPB=0.67 TB
= (0.67) (113.6)
=76.1 feet ____________ 65.0 feet.
=0 ooooo2(290) 2 (160) [{ 290 +<0 ·8)( 550 )
. 550-160
PJ c. Downstream projections
At crest:
=36,800 cubic yards, DSPc=Tc
=23.6 feet ____________ 25.0 feet.
and
V2=0.0004HL 1[H + 1.1LI] At base:
= 0.0004 (290) (550) [290 +. (1.1) (550)] DSPB=0.33 TB
=57,100 cubic yards. = (0.33) (113.6)
=37.5 feet ____________ 45.0 feet.
Then,
V =36,800+57,100=93,900 cubic yards _____ _ At 0.45H:
88,300 cubic yards. DSPo.4sH=0.0 ______________________ 0.0.
Example 2 d. Volume
Given: H=736 feet, L 1 =1,350 feet, and
L2=400 feet.
where
Find: T, USP, and DSP at crest, base, and
0.45H and volume.
a. Thicknesses
At crest:
Tc=0.01[H+1.2Ltl
=0.01 [736+ (1.2) (1,350)]
=0 ooooo2(736)ll(4oo) [{ 736 +(o. 8 )( 1,350 )
. 1,350-400
PJ
=23.6 feet ________________ 25.0 feet.
At base: =1,504,000 cubic yards,

a/
TB=v 0.0012 H L1 L2
(H) 4~ and
+
V2 = 0.0004HLt [H 1.1 L1]
400 =0.0004(736) (1,350)[736+ (1.1) (1,350)]

~0.0012(736)(1,350)(400)G~~) :~
=883,000 cubic yards.
= Then,
V=1,504,000+883,000=2,387,000 cubic yards
=113.6 feet _____________ 110.0 feet. _________________ 2,240,000 cubic yards.
Layout

BECAUSE IDEAL DAMSITES are virtually nonexist- this point and the axis center may be used
ent, a final design for an arch dam is the result. for the plane of centers.. On this vertical
of judicious evaluation and selection of physical plane, extrados and intrados centers are located
properties which best satisfy site conditions, for drawing circular arcs which represent con-
stress requirements, and design c~iteria. This tour lines on the faces of the dam. The system
final design is arrived at by several cycles of of centers for each face must form smooth and
layout, analysis, evaluation, and improvement. continuous curves to produce a satisfactory
The initial layout in the series is based on results line of centers.
of formulas in this guide and the judgment of f. The extrados and intrados centers at each
the designer. A procedure for making the initial selected elevation should be spaced on the plane
layout is as follows: of centers to produce a variation in the ratio
a. From the structural height, H, and chord of abutment thickness to crown thickness of
lengths, L1 and L2, describe the crown cantilever 1.0:1.0 at the crest t.o about 1.5:1.0 at mid-
using equations or nomographs in this guide. height and 1.1:1.0 at the riverbed.
b. Compute the axis radius: RAxrs=0.6Ll. g. Contour lines on the dam pass through
c. From all available geological information the faces of the crown cantilever and terminate
on the damsite, estimate the depth of excavation .at the abutments. For reasons of expediency,
to sound rock. the contours should be selected at convenient
d. Draw on vellum overlaying a topographic elevations on both faces, equally spaced wher-
map of the site a circular arc, with the axis ever possible, and at intervals not greater than
radius connecting abutments at the crest eleva- 100 feet nor less than 20 feet in elevation.
tion.1 This arc should be so oriented that h. Abutments are drawn radial from the
the angle of incidence to each abutment is extrados center. The perimetrical contact of
approximately equal. dam and foundation should be smooth and
e. On the axis, locate a point about midway continuous.
between abutments and in the riverbed (crown
i. A tangent to each contour on the down-
cantilever). A line on the drawing connecting
stream face at the abutment line should make
I 'f·he RAxrs should be lengthened if either the arc fails to make contact an angle not less than 30° with a line generally
with the abutment at the estimated depth of excavation, or if the subtended
central angle exceeds 120°. parallel to the canyon wall at that elevation.
17

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