Part B: Micro-project Report

1. Title: Working model of Gravity Dam

Rationale: A gravity dam is a type of dam that use the weight or force of water
to push against the ground, thus creating an artificial lake.
Course Outcomes Achieved
Literature Review
1. We have used some websites for gathering the information about Road
Alignment for our Micro-project
2. We have also used books required for getting information about Road
Alignment
3. We have also used guidance given by our teachers for completing project
Proposed Methodology
Procedure to be followed to do micro-project will consists of following steps:
Discussion about given topic
Selection of Group Leader and distribution of responsibilities
Collection of information using
Analysis of information as per formats given
Representation of information in required formats
Preparation of project report
Completion of assigned task
GOVERENMENT POLYTECHNIC, KARAD

Department of Civil Engineering

Water Resource Engineering

Micro-Project

Working Model of Gravity Dam

Academic Year 2022-23

Program: CE (R) TY
Program code:CE
Course: Water Resource Engineering (WRE)
Course code: 22501
 Certificate

This is to certify that, as a part of first semester

academic co-curricular activity for the year 2020-2021, and as given by
MSBTE, Mumbai, the following Third Year Diploma Engineering
students of Civil Engineering programme, Mr. Rudraksha Basugade (
Roll No. 2104), Mr.Shankar Bawdhane (Roll No. 2105) , Mr. Om
Bhosle ( Roll No. 2106 ),belonged to Government Polytechnic, Karad,
have successfully completed their Water Resource Engineering
(WRE) Micro project titled as “ Working Model of Gravity Dam”
and submitted it to Civil Engineering Department , Government
Polytechnic , Karad.

Head of Department Teacher & Guide

Dr. K.M.Bagwan Shri.S.B.Bote
 Acknowledgement

We, the student of Government Polytechnic, Karad, take this opportunity to

express our humble and sincere thanks to those who directly and indirectly
responsible and being assistance in completing this micro project.

First and foremost, we express our sense of gratitude towards the Principal of our
institute, Dr. R. K. Patil and the Head of Civil Department, Dr.K.M.Bagwan for
having allowed us to work and complete this project as a part of our academic
study for diploma engineering.

Second, we also express our thanks to Shri.Shekhar.Bote Sir lecturer in WRE,

Department of Civil Engineering for their valuable guidance and encouragement,
designing and being a resourceful throughout this project work.

We are equally thankful to the team of our batch mates who consistently worked
in this small project. Finally, we express our sense of gratefulness toward our
parents, relatives and friends who keep lending their moral support during this
academic work.

Yours Sincerely,
Rudraksha Shashikant Basugade (2104)
Shankar Bhwadane (2105)
Om Kishor Bhosale (2106)
Group Details
• Rudraksha Shashikant Basugade (2104)
• Shankar Bhwadane (2105)
• Om Kishor Bhosale (2106)

INDEX

SR.NO. CONTENT PAGE NO.

1 Title
1

Certificate 2
2

3 Acknowledgement 3

4
4 Group report

5 Project Proposal 5

6 Introduction
6

7 Actual Project
7

8 Images
8

9 Project Report
9
Introduction
What is Gravity Dam?
 A gravity dam is a type of dam that use the weight or force of water to
push against the ground, thus creating an artificial lake. Gravity damsare
often used for hydroelectric power production and as reservoirs for
drinking water and irrigation. Gravity dams can be built of concrete,
earth, wood, or rock
 Gravity dams are massive structure dam which is constructed of concrete
or stone masonry. These dams are hold by the gravity to the ground.
 A gravity dam depends on its own weight for stability and is usually
straight in plan although sometimes slightly curved.
 A gravity dam can hold a large amount of water.
 As they rely on their own weight, it is necessary to construct them on a
solid foundation of bedrocks.
 A gravity dam may be constructed either of masonry or of concrete.
 Masonry gravity dams are nowadays constructed of only small heights.
 All major and important gravity dams are now constructed of concrete
only.
 A gravity dam may be either straight or curved in plan.
 A gravity dam is mostly straight in plan and is known as ‘straight gravity
dam’. However, it may also be slightly curved in plan.
 A curved gravity dam resists the external forces by its weight and not by
arch action.
 The most ancient gravity dam on record was built in Egypt more than 400
years B.C. of un-cemented masonry.
 Archaeological experts believe that this dam was kept in perfect condition
for more than 45 centuries.
 Most of the gravity dams are solid, so that no bending stress is introduced
at any point and hence, they are sometimes known as ‘solid gravity
dams’.
 A gravity dam, however, can be hollow and is known as ‘hollow gravity
dam’.
 Gravity dams are particularly suited across gorges with very steep side
slopes where earth dams might slip.
 Where good foundations are available, gravity dams can be built up to
any height. The highest dams in the world are of gravity type.
Construction of Gravity Dams.
 Before construction work in a river channel can be started, the stream
flow must be diverted.In two-Stages construction, the flow is diverted to
one side of the channel by a cofferdam while working proceeds on the
other side.

 After work on the lower portion of one side of the dam is complete, flow
is diverted through outlets in this portion or may even be permitted to
over top the completed portion while work proceeds in the other half of
the channel.

 If geologic and topographic conditions are favorable, a tunnel or diversion

channel may be used to convey the entire flow around the dam site.A
tunnel is particularly advantageous if it will serve some useful purpose
after completion of the dam.Four 50 feet circular concrete-lined tunnels
were used for diversion at Hoover Dam and later converted to outlet
works.

 A diversion channel or tunnel should be capable of carrying a flow

selected by frequency analysis as a reasonable risk in view of the hazards
on each particular job.It is advantageous to schedule construction of the
lower portion of a dam during normal low-flow periods to minimize the
diversion problem.The foundation must be excavated to solid rock before
any concrete is poured.

 After excavation, cavities or faults in the underlying strata are sealed with
concrete or grout.Frequently a grout curtain is placed near the heel of the
dam to reduce seepage and uplift.A cement grout and water are
sometimes mixed with a small amount of fine aggregate (sand) is forced
under pressure into the holes drilled into the rocks.

 Grouting at pressures up to about 40 psi may be done before concrete is

placed for the dam, but high-pressure grouting (200 psi) is done from
permanent galleries in the dam after the dam is complete so that the
weight of the dam can resist the grouting pressures.

 Concrete for the dam is usually placed in blocks depending on the

dimensions of the dam, with a maximum width of about 50 ft on large
dams.The maximum height of a single pour is usually about 5 ft.Sections
are poured alternately so that each block is permitted to stand several days
before another one is poured next to it or on top of it.

 After individual sections are poured, they are sprinkled with water and
otherwise protected from the drying effect of the air.
 After the form work is removed, the lateral surfaces of each section are
painted with a paint (asphaltic emulsion) to prevent adherence to adjoining
sections and to form construction joints to reduce cracking of the concrete.
Keyways are provided between sections to carry the shear forces from one
section to the adjacent one and make the gravity dam act as a monolithic
structure.

 Metal water stops are also placed in the vertical construction joints near the
upstream face to prevent leakage.Inspection galleries to permit access to the
interior of the dam are formed as the concrete is placed.These galleries may
be necessary for grouting operation, for operation and maintenance of gates
and valves, and as intercepting drains for water which seeps into the gravity
dam.

 When concrete sets, a great deal of heat is liberated, and the temperature of
the mass is raised.As the concrete cools, it shrinks, and cracks may develop.
To avoid cracks, a special type of concete (low-heat cement) may be used.
 Very lean mixes are also used for the interior of the dam. Two sacks of
cement per cubic yard of concrete are not uncommon.

 In addition, the materials which go into the concrete may be cooled

before mixing concrete .For best results, the temperature of the concrete mix
should be between 50° and 80°F.Occasionally, further cooling is
accomplished by circulating cold water through pipes embedded in the
concrete, although this is expensive and is generally used only on large
gravity dams.
 Advantages of gravity dams.

There is no type of dam more permanent than one of the solid concrete, nor does
any other type require less for maintenance. As compared to earth and rock-fill
dams gravity dams have the following advantages :

1. Gravity dams are relatively more strong and stable than earth dams. They are
particularly suited across gorges having very steep side slopes where earth dam, if
constructed, might slip.
2. Gravity dams are well adapted for use as an overflow spillway crest. Earth dams
cannot be used as overflow dams. Due to this, a gravity overflow dam is often used
for the spillway feature of earth and rock-fill dams.
3. They can be constructed of any height, provided suitable foundations are
available to bear the stresses.
The height of an earth dam is usually limited by the stability of its slopes requiring
a very wide base width. Highest dams in the world are made of gravity dams only.

4. Gravity dam is specially suited to such areas where there is likelihood of very
heavy downpour. The slopes of earth dam might get washed away in such a
situation.
5. They requires the least maintenance.

6. The failure of this dam, if any, is not sudden. It gives enough warning time
before the area to downstream side is flooded due to the damage of the structure.
On the contrary, an earth dam generally fails suddenly.

7. Deep-set sluices can be used in the gravity dams, to retard the sedimentation or
silt deposit in the reservoir. The trap efficiency of a reservoir of an earth dam is
more than that of a reservoir of gravity dam.
8. They are cheaper in the long run since it is more permanent than any other type.
Thus the benefit-cost ratio of such a dam is always higher.
External Forces Acting on Gravity Dam
 Water Pressure.
 Uplift Pressure.
 Earthquake Forces.
 Silt Pressure.
 Wave Pressure.
 Ice Pressure.
 Weight of Dam.

1. Water Pressure :

Water Pressure is one of the mass major external forces acting on gravity dam. The
horizontal water pressure exerted by the water stored on upstream side of dam can be
collected from hydrostatic pressure distribution.

2. Uplift Pressure :

Water seeping through the pores and fissures of the foundation material and water
seeping through the dam of the body and there to the bottom through the joints
between the body of the dam and its foundation at the base, exerts an uplift pressure
on the base of the dam.
3. Earthquake forces :

An Earthquake produces waves which are capable of shaking the dam in every
possible direction. The effect of Earthquake is equivalent to imparting an acceleration
to the foundations of the dam in the direction in which the wave is travelling at the
moment. Acceleration can be splitted into 2 components :

 Horizontal Acceleration (αh) = Kh×g

 Vertical Acceleration (αv) = K×g
The values of these acceleration are generally expressed as % of acceleration due to
gravity (g) i.e α = 0.19 or 0.29. The value of alpha (α) depends upon 5 seismic zones
in which the dam lies.

4. Silt Pressure :

If ‘h’ is the height of silt deposited, then force exerted by the silt in addition to
external water pressure can be represented by Rankine’s formula,

Psilt= ½ γsub h² Ka and it acts at h/3 from base.

where, Ka = 1-sinΦ/1+sinΦ.
γsub = submerged unit weight of silt material.
h = height of silt deposited.

5. Wave Pressure :

Waves are generated on the surface of the reservoir by the blowing winds, which can
cause a pressure towards the downstream side wave pressure and it depends upon the
wave height. Wave height may be given by the following equation,

hw = 0.032 √vf + 0.763 – 0.271 f¾, for f<32.

where, hw = height of water from top of crest to bottom of trough in meters.

v = wind velocity in km/h.
f = fetch or straight length of water expanse in km.

6. Ice Pressure :

The ice which may be formed on the water surface of the reservoir in cold countries
may sometimes melt and expand. The dam face then has to resist force 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- 1500 kn/m².
7. Weight of the Dam :

The weight of the dam body and its foundation is the major resisting force. In two
dimensional analysis of the gravity dam, unit length of the dam is considered. The c/s
then can be divided into rectangles and triangles. The resultant of all these downward
forces will represent the total weight of dam acting the center of gravity of the dam.

Theoritical and Practical profile of Earthen Dam

Theoretical profile Practical Profile

Provision of free board is not Provision of free board is provided.

provided.

Road way at top is not possible. Road way at top is possible.

For reservoir empty condition it For reservoir empty condition tension is

will provide maximum possible developed at toe and hence some masonry is
stability. provided on u/s side.
Examples of Gravity Dam in India

1. Tehri Dam – Uttarakhand

Tehri Dam located on the Bhagirathi River, Uttaranchal now become Uttarakhand. Tehri Dam is the
highest dam in India,with a height of 261 meters and the eighth tallest dam in the world.
The high rock and earth-fill embankment dam first phase was completed in 2006 and other two phases
are under construction. The Dam water reservoir use for irrigation, municipal water supply and the
generation of 1,000 MW of hydroelectricity.
 Height: 260 meters
 Length: 575 meters
 Type: Earth and rock-fill
 Reservoir Capacity: 2,100,000
acre·ft
 River: Bhagirathi River
 Location: Uttarakhand
 Installed capacity: 1,000 MW

2. Bhakra Dam – Himachal Pradesh

Bhakra Nangal Dam is a gravity dam across the Sutlej river Himachal Pradesh. Bhakra is the largest
dam in India, with a height of 226 meters and second largest Dam in Asia. Its reservoir, known as the
“Gobind Sagar Lake” it is the second largest reservoir in India, the first being Indira Sagar dam in MP.

 Height: 226 meters

 Length: 520 meters
 Type: Concrete gravity
 Reservoir Capacity: 7,501,775 acre·ft
 River: Sutlej River
 Location: Himachal Pradesh
 Installed capacity: 1325 MW
3. Sardar Sarovar Dam – Gujarat

Sardar Sarovar Dam also known as Narmada Dam is the largest dam to be built, with a height of 163
meters, over the Sacred Narmada River in Gujarat. Drought prone areas of Kutch and Saurashtra will
get irrigate by this project.
The gravity dam is the largest dam of Narmada Valley Project with power facilities up to 200 MW.
The dam is meant to benefit the 4 major states of India Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and
Rajasthan.
 Height: 163 meters
 Length:1,210 meters
 Type: Gravity Dam
 Reservoir Capacity: 7,701,775 acre·ft
 River: Narmada River
 Location: Gujarat
 Installed capacity: 1,450 MW
Indian government has approved the proposal to raise the dam’s height from 121.9 metres to 138.7
metres, making it the second highest dam in the world after Grand Coulee in the US. The dam was
inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, 2017

4. Hirakud Dam – Odisha

Hirakud dam built across the Mahanadi River in tribal state Orissa. Hirakud Dam is one of the longest
dams in the world about 26 km in length. There are two observation towers on the dam one is “Gandhi
Minar” and another one is “Nehru Minar”.
The Hirakud Reservoir is 25 km long used as multipurpose scheme intended for flood control,
irrigation and power generation. It was one of the major multipurpose river valley project after
Independence.
 Height: 60.96 meters
 Length: 25.8 km
 Type: Composite Dam
 Reservoir Capacity: 4,779,965 acre·ft
 River: Mahanadi River
 Location: Odisha
 Installed capacity: 307.5 MW
5. NagarjunaSagar Dam – Telangana/Andhra Pradesh

 Height: 124 meters

 Length:1,450 meters
 Type: Masonry Dam
 Reservoir Capacity: 9,371,845 acre·ft
 River: Krishna River
 Location: Telangana/Andhra Pradesh
 Installed capacity: 816 MW
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is the world’s largest masonry dam with a height of 124 meters, built across
Krishna River in Telangana. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is certainly the pride of India-considered one of
the largest man-made lake in the world.
The 1.6 km long with 26 gates dam was symbol of modern India’s architectural and technological
triumphs over nature.

Images related to Gravity Dam