CHAPTER-2

GRAVITY DAMS
 Learning Objective
To know about:
∞ Definition of gravity dam.
∞ Forces affecting on gravity dam /
Loads on gravity dams.
∞ Modes of failure and criteria for
structural stability of gravity dams.
∞ Design consideration and fixing the
section of a dam.
∞ Construction aspects of gravity dams.
 2.1 INTRODUCTION
∞ Gravity dam: is a structure which is
designed in such away that its own weight
resists the external forces.
∞ This types of a structure is most durable and
solid, and requires very little maintenance.
∞ Such dam may be constructed of masonry or
concrete.
∞ The dam is generally straight in plan,
although sometimes, it may be slightly curve
 Cont..
∞ They can be constructed with ease on any
dam site where there exists a natural
foundation strong enough to bear the
enormous weight of the dam.
∞ The line of the upstream face in sloping, is
taken as the reference line for layout purpose,
etc. and is known as the base line of the dam
or the axis of dam.
Cont..
2.2 COMPONENETS OF
GRAVITY DAM
 Cont..
1. Parapet Wall
∞ Parapet walls are provides on top of the
Gravity dam on both side for the safety
purpose.
2. Crest
∞ Topmost surface (top level of dam) of the
gravity dam is known as crest. In case of
overflow dam, water flow over the crest. But
in non-overflow dam, water flow below the
crest.
 Cont..
3. Spillway
∞ is a water release concrete structure,
constructed across the river within dam or out
of dam for the purpose of removing excessive
water of reservoir.
4. Sluice way
∞ Sluice way is also known as sluice wall. Sluice
way is a special arrangement, constructed
near the ground level, for the purpose of
removing accumulated silt from the reservoir.
 Cont..
5. Toe
∞ Toe is the foot (lowest portion) of the dam at
the downstream side.
6. Heel
∞ Heel is the foot (lowest portion) of the dam at
the upstream side.
7. Free board
∞ Free board is the vertical distance between
Maximum flood level to top of the dam.
8. Drainage gallery
∞ A drainage gallery is provided in the dam to
tackle with Uplift pressure.
 2.2 FORCES ACTING ON
GRAVITY DAM /LOADS ON
GRAVITY DAM
 Cont..
¶ The various forces acting on gravity dam may
be:
I. Water pressure
II. Uplift pressure
III.Pressure due to earthquake forces
IV. Silt pressure
V. Wave pressure
VI. Ice pressure
VII.Self weight of the dam (stabilizing force)
¶ The estimation of and description of these
forces are listed below:
 Cont..
I. Water pressure
∞ The 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 on 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 𝛾𝑤 𝐻 at the base; where 𝛾𝑤 is unit
 Cont..
weight of water and H is the depth of water.
∞ The resultant force due to this external
water:
𝟏
𝑷 = ∗ 𝜸𝒘 ∗ 𝑯𝟐
𝟐
𝑯
∞ Acting at from the base. As shown in the
𝟑
figure below.
Cont..
 Cont..
∞ When the upstream face is partly vertical
and partly inclined: the resulting water
force can be resolved into horizontal
component 𝑃ℎ and vertical components 𝑃𝑣 .
 Cont..
∞ The horizontal component 𝑃ℎ :
𝟏
𝑷𝒉 = ∗ 𝜸𝒘 ∗ 𝑯𝟐
𝟐
∞ and vertical components 𝑃𝑣 is equal to the
weight of the water stored in column ABCA
and acts at the c.g of the area.
 Cont..
∞ Example 1: find the resultant forces due to
the resultant water and its acting height
from the base, 𝛾𝑤 = 9.81𝐾𝑁/𝑚3 .

1
𝑃 = ∗ 9.81 ∗ 502 = 𝟏𝟐𝟐𝟔𝟐. 𝟓𝑲𝑵/𝒎
2
50𝑚
It acts from the base is = 𝟏𝟔. 𝟔𝟕𝒎
3
 Cont..
∞ Example 2: find the resultant forces due to
the resultant water and its acting height from
the base and length from the heel, 𝛾𝑤 =
9.81𝐾𝑁/𝑚3 .

1
𝑃ℎ = ∗ 9.81 ∗ 502 = 𝟏𝟐𝟐𝟔𝟐. 𝟓𝑲𝑵/𝒎
2
50𝑚
It acts from the base is = 𝟏𝟔. 𝟔𝟕𝒎
3
 Cont..
To find the vertical resultant force due to this water
pressure
1
𝑃𝑣 = 9.81 ∗ 30 ∗ 10 + ∗ 20 ∗ 10
2
= 𝟔𝟖𝟔𝟕𝑲𝑵/𝒎

It acts from the base is

 Cont..
2. Uplift Pressure
∞ Water seeping through the pores, crack and
fissures of the foundation material, and
water seeping through dam body and then to
the bottom through the joints between the
body of the dam and its foundation at the
base; exert an uplift pressure on the base of
the dam.
∞ It is the second major external force and
must be accounted for in all calculations.
∞ It virtually reduces the downward weight of
the body of the dam.
 Cont..
∞ It acts against the dam stability.
 Cont..
∞ When there is no drainage galleries to relieve
the uplift, the recommended uplift pressure
at the upstream side is the hydraulic
pressure at the heel:
= 𝜸𝒘 . 𝑯
∞ The uplift pressure at the toe or at the
downstream side is:
= 𝜸𝒘 . 𝑯′
 Cont..
∞ When drainage galleries are provided to
relieve the uplift, the recommended uplift at
the face of the gallery is equal to the
hydraulic pressure at the toe 𝛾𝑤 . 𝐻′ plus
1
𝑟𝑑 the difference of the hydrostatic
3
pressures at the heel and the toe as shown
the figure above:
′ 𝟏
𝜸𝒘 . 𝑯 + (𝜸𝒘 . 𝑯 − 𝜸𝒘 . 𝑯′ )
𝟑
∞ It is assumed that the uplift pressure are not
affected by the earth forces.
 Cont..
∞ The uplift pressure can be controlled by:
 Constructing cut-off wall under the
upstream face,
 by constructing drainage channel between
the dam and its foundation, and
 By pressure grouting the foundation.
 Cont..
∞ The uplift pressure can be controlled by:
 Constructing cut-off wall under the upstream
face,
 by constructing drainage channel between the
dam and its foundation, and
 By pressure grouting the foundation.
3. Earthquake Force
∞ If the dam to be designed is to be located in
a region which is susceptible to earthquakes,
allowance must be made for the stress
generated by the earthquakes.
 Cont..
∞ Earthquake wave may move in any direction,
and for design purpose, it has to be resolved
in vertical and horizontal component.
∞ Two acceleration induced by an earthquake:
I. Horizontal acceleration
II. Vertical acceleration
∞ The value of these acceleration are generally
expressed as percentage of the acceleration
due to gravity.
Effects of vertical acceleration(𝜶𝒗 )
∞ it may either acts downward or upward.
 Cont..
∞ When it is acting in the upward direction,
then:
 the foundation of the dam will be lifted
upward and becomes closer to the body of
the dam,
 Thus the effective weight of the dam will
increase and the stress developed will
increase.
∞ When it acting downward:
 The foundation shall try to move
downward away from the dam body
 Cont..
 The effective weight of stability of the dam
is reduced.
 It is the worst case for design.
∞ Such acceleration will therefore exert an
inertia force given by:
𝑊
= 𝛼𝑣
𝑔
Where W= total weight of the dam.
Therefore the net effective weight of the dam
𝑊
= 𝑊 − 𝛼𝑣
𝑔
 Cont..
If
𝛼𝑣 = 𝑘𝑣 . 𝑔
Where 𝑘𝑣 is the fraction of gravity adopted for
vertical acceleration
Then the net effective weight of the dam
𝑊
= 𝑊 − . 𝑘𝑣 . 𝑔 = 𝑊 1 − 𝑘𝑣
𝑔
∞ In other word vertical acceleration reduces
the unit weight of the dam material and that
of water to (1 − 𝑘𝑣 ) times their original unit
weights.
 Cont..
Effects of Horizontal acceleration
∞ Horizontal acceleration may cause the
following two forces:
I. Hydrodynamic pressure

Horizontal acceleration acting towards the reservoir

causes a momentary increase in the water pressure
 Cont..
 As the foundation and dam accelerated
towards the reservoir and the water resists
the moment 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
𝑃𝑒 = 0.555 ∗ 𝑘ℎ ∗ 𝛾𝑤 ∗ 𝐻2
4𝐻
It acts at the height of above the base.
3𝜋
 Cont..
The moment of this force is
4𝐻
𝑀𝑒 = 𝑃𝑒 ∗ = 0.424 ∗ 𝐻 ∗ 𝑃𝑒
3𝜋
II. Horizontal inertia force
 This force is generated in order to keep
the body and the foundation of the dam
together as one piece.
 The direction of the produced force will be
opposite to the acceleration imparted by
the earthquake.
 Cont..
 The amount of this horizontal inertial force
is equal to the product of the mass of the
dam and the acceleration.
 This horizontal inertial force
𝑤 𝑤
= ∗ 𝛼ℎ = ∗ 𝑘ℎ ∗ 𝑔 = 𝑊 ∗ 𝑘ℎ
𝑔 𝑔
4. Silt Load
∞ In most of the gravity- dam silt pressure is
neglected, because of
∞ Initially silt load is not present, and by time it
became significant, it consolidate to some
 Cont..
extent and it acts like fluid. Moreover silt
deposited
∞ If h height of silt deposited, then force
exerted by this silt in addition to external
water pressure, can be represented by
Rankine’s formula as:
1
𝑃𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑡 = ∗ 𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 ∗ ℎ2 ∗ 𝑘𝑎
2
ℎ
It acts at from the base
3
Where
1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛∅
𝑘𝑎 =
1 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛∅
 Cont..
Where
∅ is the angle of internal friction of soil
𝛾𝑠𝑢𝑏 is submerged unit weight of silt material
ℎ is the 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 that is going to be deposited,
U.S.B.R recommendation may be adopted.
∞ Deposited silt may be taken as equivalent to
a fluid exerted force with a unit weight
 Cont..
 3.6 KN/m3 in horizontal direction
 A vertical force with unit weight of 9.2
KN/m3
ℎ2
∞ The total horizontal force will be 3.6 ∗ =
2
1.8 ∗ ℎ2 𝐾𝑁/𝑚 run, and
ℎ2
∞ Vertical force will be 9.2 ∗ = 4.6 ∗ ℎ2 𝐾𝑁/𝑚
2
 Cont..
5. Wave Pressure
∞ Waves are generated on the surface of
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 equation,
For F <32km
3ൗ
ℎ𝑤 = 0.032 ∗ 𝑉 ∗ 𝐹 + 0.763 − 0.271 ∗ 𝐹 4

For F >32km
ℎ𝑤 = 0.032 ∗ 𝑉 ∗ 𝐹
 Cont..
Where,
ℎ𝑤 =height of water from top of crest to
bottom of through in meters
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 ∗ 𝛾𝑤 ∗ ℎ𝑤
ℎ𝑤
And acts at meters above the still water
2
surface.
Cont..
 Cont..
6. ICE LOAD
 The ice which may be formed on the water
surface or the reservoir in cold countries, may
sometimes melt and expand.
 The dam face has then to resist the thrust
exerted by 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 on the temperature
variation.
 500 KN/m2 may be allowed under ordinary
condition.
 Cont..
7. Weight of the dam
 The weight of the dam body and its
foundation is the major resisting force.
 In two dimensional analysis of gravity dam,
unit length of the dam is considered.
 The cross-section can then divided into
rectangle and triangle.
 The weight of each along with their c.g.s can
be determined.
 The resultant of all these downward forces
will represent the total weight of the dam.
 Cont..
Combination of forces for design
 The designing of a gravity dam should be
checked for two cases
Case I: reservoir full case
Case I: reservoir empty case
Case I
 When reservoir is full the major force acting
are:
o Weight of the dam
o External water pressure
o Uplift pressure and
 Cont..
o Earthquake forces in serious seismic zone
The minor forces are:
o Silt pressure
o Ice pressure
o Ice pressure
o Wave pressure
 For most conservative design and purely
theoretical point of view, one can say that a
situation may arise when all the forces may
act together.
 Cont..
 But such a situation will never a rise and
hence, all the forces are not generally taken
together.
 U.S.B.R has classified the normal load
combination and extreme load combination,
a) Normal Load Combinations
i. Water pressure upto normal pool level,
normal uplift, silt pressure and ice pressure.
This class of loading is taken when ice force
is serious.
ii. Water pressure upto normal pool level,
normal uplift, earthquake force, and silt
 Cont..
Pressure
iii. Water pressure upto 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 with out
reduction due to drainage and silt
pressure.
Case-II
Reservoir empty case:
 Cont..
i. Empty reservoir without earthquake forces
to be computed:
o For determining bending diagram
o For reinforcement design,
o 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.
 Cont..
Mode of failure and criteria for stability
analysis of gravity dam
 A gravity dam may fail in the following ways:
1. By overturning (or rotation) about the toe.
2. By crushing
3. By development of tension, casing
ultimate failure by crushing
4. By shear failure called sliding.
 The failure may occur at the foundation
plane ( at the base of the dam) or other
plane at higher level.
 Cont..
1. By overturning
 If the resultant of all the forces acting on a
dam at any of its section, passes outside the
toe, the dam shall rotate and overturn about
the toe.
 Practically, such a condition shall not a rise,
as the dam will fail earlier by compression.
 The ratio of the righting moments about toe
(anti-clockwise) to the over turning moments
about toe(clock-wise) is called factor of
safety against overturning.
 Cont..
2. By compression or crushing
 A dam may be fail by the failure of its
material, i.e. the compressive stress
produced may exceed the allowable stresses
and the dam material may get crushed.
 The vertical direct stress distribution at the
base is given by:
𝒑 = 𝑫𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 + 𝑩𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔
σ𝑉 𝑀 σ 𝑉 σ 𝑉. 𝑒 σ 𝑉 6𝑒
𝑝𝑚𝑎𝑥= ± 𝑦= ± 2 = 1±
𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝐵 𝐼 𝐵 𝐵 ൗ 𝐵 𝐵
6
 Cont..
e= eccentricity of resultant force from the
center of the base
σ 𝑉 = total vertical force
B = base width
 The resultant force may act:
I. Near to the toe and hence, the maximum
compression stress is produced at the toe (
reservoir full case). Fig 1
II. Nearer to the heel and hence the maximum
compression stress is produced at the heel
(reservoir empty case). Fig 2
Cont..
Cont..
 Cont..
 If Pmin comes out to be negative, if means
that tension shall be produced at the
appropriate end.
 If Pmin exceeds the allowable compressive
stress of dam material (generally taken as
3000KN/m2 for concrete) the dam may crush
and fail by crushing.
3. By tension
 Masonry and concrete gravity dam are
usually designed in such a way that no
tension is developed anywhere, because of
these materials cannot with stand
 Cont..
sustained tensile stresses.
 If subjected to such stresses these materials
may finally crack.
 For achieving economy in design of very
high gravity dam, certain amounts of tension
may permitted under the worst loading
condition.
 The maximum permissible tensile stress for
high concrete gravity dams under worst
leadings, may be taken as 500KN/m2
 Cont..
 Effect produced by tension cracks.
o When a tension crack develops say at the
heel, crack width (crack area) loses
contact wit the bottom foundation and
these becomes in effective.
 The effective width B (considering unit
length) of the dam base will be reduced. This
will increase Pmax at the toe.
 This causes increase in uplift.
 Since the uplift increases and the net
effective downward force reduces, the
resultant will shift more toward the toe and
 Cont..
thus further increases the compressive stress
at the toe and further lengthening the crack
due to further tension development.
 The process continues: the effective base
width goes on reducing and compressive
stress at the toe goes on increasing: finally
leading to the failure of the toe by direct
compression.
 A tension crack does not fail the structure,
but it leads to the failure of the structure by
producing excessive compressive stresses.
Cont..
 Cont..
 In order to ensure that no tension is
developed anywhere, we must ensure that
Pmin is at the most equal to zero.
σ𝑉 6𝑒
𝑝𝑚𝑎𝑥= 1±
𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝐵 𝐵
σ𝑉 6𝑒
𝑃𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 1−
𝐵 𝐵
𝑖𝑓, 𝑷𝒎𝒊𝒏 = 𝟎
σ𝑉 6𝑒
1− = 0, 𝑜𝑟
𝐵 𝐵
6𝑒 𝐵
1− = 0, or e =
𝐵 6
 Cont..
 Hence, maximum value of eccentricity that
can be permitted on either side of the center
𝐵
is equal to , which leads to: the resultant
6
force must lie within the middle third.
4. By 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 two surfaces
is equal to 𝜇 σ 𝑉, 𝜇 is coefficient of friction
between two surfaces.
 Cont..
 In order that no sliding takes place, the
external horizontal forces (σ 𝐻) must be less
than the shear resistance 𝜇 σ 𝑉,
෍ 𝐻 < 𝜇 ෍ 𝑉, 𝑜𝑟

𝜇 σ 𝑉,
>1
σ𝐻
 Cont..
 In low dams the safety against sliding
should be checked by only for friction. But
 In high dams, for economical precise
design, the shear strength of the joint, which
is an additional shear resistance, must also
considered.
 Then the equation for factor safety against
sliding which is measured by shear friction
factor (S.F.F)
𝜇σ𝑉 + 𝐵 ∗ 𝑞
𝑆. 𝐹. 𝐹 =
σ𝐻
 Cont..
Where,
B= width of the dam at the joint
q=average shear strength of the joint
which varies from about 1400 KN/m2 for
poor rock to about 4000 KN/m2 for good
rocks
The value of 𝜇 is generally varies from 0.65
to 0.75.
 Attempts are always made to increase this
shear strength (q) at the base and at other
joints.
 Cont..
 For this purpose, foundation is stepped at
the base and measures are taken to ensure
a better bond between the dam base and
rock foundation.
 Cont..
STABILITY ANALYSIS
 The stability of gravity dam can be
approximately and easily analyzed by two
dimensional gravity method and can be
precisely analyzed by three dimensional
methods.
Gravity method or two dimensional
stability analysis
 The preliminary analysis of all gravity dam
can be mad easily by isolating a typical cross
section of the dam of unit weight.
 Cont..
STABILITY ANALYSIS
 The stability of gravity dam can be
approximately and easily analyzed by two
dimensional gravity method and can be
precisely analyzed by three dimensional
methods.
Gravity method or two dimensional
stability analysis
 The preliminary analysis of all gravity dam
can be made easily by isolating a typical
cross section of the dam of unit weight.
 Cont..
 Assumptions. The various assumption
made in the two dimensional design of
gravity dams are summarized.
i. The dam is considered to be composed of
a number of cantilevers,
ii. No loads are transferred to the abutments
by beam action.
iii. The foundation and the dam behave as a
single unit; the joint being perfect.
iv. The materials in the foundation and body
of the dam are isotropic and homogeneous.
 Cont..
v. The stress developed in the foundation
and body of the dam are with elastic
limits.
vi. No momentum of the foundations are
caused due to transference of loads.
vii. Small openings made in the body of the
dam do not affect the general distribution
of stresses and they only produces local
effect.
procedure. Two dimensional analysis can be
carried out analytically or graphically.
 Cont..
a) Analytical Method.
The stability of the dam can b analyzed in the
following steps.
i. Consider unit length of the dam.
ii. Work out the magnitude and direction of
all the vertical forces on the dam and
their algebraic sum, σ 𝑉 .
iii. Similarly work out all the horizontal forces
and their algebraic sum, σ 𝐻 .
iv. Determining the lever arms of all these
forces about the toe.
 Cont..
v. Determine the moments of all these
forces about the toe and find out the
algebraic sum of all those moments, σ 𝑀.
vi. Find out the location of the resultant force
by determining its distance from the toe.
σ𝑀
𝑥ҧ =
σ𝑉
vii. Find out the eccentricity (e) of the
𝐵
resultant (R) by using 𝑒 = − 𝑥.ҧ It must
2
be less than B/6 in order to ensure that
no tension is developed anywhere in the
dam
 Cont..
viii.Determine the vertical stress at the toe
and heel using
σ𝑉 6𝑒
𝑃𝑣 = 1±
𝐵 𝐵
ix. Determine the maximum normal stresses,
principal stresses at the toe and heel..
They should not exceed the maximum
allowable values.
x. Determine the factor of safety against
overturning as equal to
σ 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡(+)
σ 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 (−)
 Cont..
viii.Determine the factor of safety against
𝜇σ𝑉
sliding using sliding factor σ , and by
𝐻
𝜇 σ 𝑉+𝐵∗𝑞
shear friction factor (S.F.F) σ𝐻
.
 The sliding factor must be greater than
unity (1) and S.F.F must be greater than 3
to 5. the analysis should be carried out for
reservoir full case as well as for reservoir
empty case.
 Cont..
Elementary profile of a gravity dam
 The elementary profile of a dam, subjected
only to the external water pressure on the
upstream side will be right-angled triangle,
having zero width at the water level and
base width (B) at bottom (the point where
the maximum hydrostatic water pressure
acts.
 In other word the shape of such a profile is
similar to the shape of the hydrostatic
pressure distribution.
Cont..
 Cont..
 When the reservoir is empty,
o The only single force acting on it is the
self-weight (W) of t he dam and it acts at
a distance B/3 from the heel. This is the
maximum possible innermost position of
the resultant for no tension to develop.
o Such a line of action of W is the most
ideal, as it gives the maximum possible
stabilizing moment about the toe without
causing tension at toe, when the reservoir
is empty.
 Cont..
 The vertical stress distribution at the base,
when the reservoir is empty is given as:
 Cont..
 Hence, the maximum vertical stress equal to
2𝑊
will act at the heel ( therefore the
𝐵
resultant is nearer the heel and the vertical
stress at toe will be zero.
When the reservoir is full
the base width is governed by:
i. The resultant of all the forces (P,W&U) pass
through the outer most middle third point.
Cont..
 Cont..
 Hence if B is taken equal to or grater than
𝐻
no tension will be developed at the heel
𝑆𝑐 −1
with full reservoir.
Design Consideration and fixing the
section of a dam
 The freeboard and top width for roadway
should be selected as follow:
1. Freeboard
 The margin between the maximum reservoir
level and top of the dam.
 Cont..
 This must be provided in order to avoid the
possible water spilling over the dam top due
to wave action.
 This can also help as a safety for unforeseen
floods, higher than the design flood.
 The freeboard is generally provided equal to
3
ℎ𝑤 .
2
 However these days a freeboard equal to 4
to 5% of the dam height is provided.
2. Top width
 Cont..
DESIGN OF GRAVITY DAM
 The section of gravity dam should be chosen
in such a way that it is the most economical
section and satisfies all the conditions and
requirements of stability.
 Hence after the section of the dam has been
arrived at the stability analysis for da must
be carried out.
To decide whether the dam is low or high.
 First of all the dam height of the dam to be
constructed, should be checked so as to
 Cont..
ensure whether it is a low gravity dam or a
high gravity dam.
 If the height of the dam is less than the
given by:
𝑓
𝛾𝑤 𝑆𝑐 + 1
Where
f is the permissible compressive stress of the
dam material and
Sc is the specific gravity of the dam material.
 Cont..
Then the dam will be a low gravity dam,
otherwise it will be a high gravity dam.
 Even for a high gravity dam, the upper eight
𝑓
𝐻1 = can be designed as a low
𝛾𝑤 𝑆𝑐 +1
gravity dam and the remaining lower portion
can be designed as explained a little later.
Design of Low Dam
 The economical section of low gravity dam of
height H1 after deciding the top width a and
freeboard, can be drawn as;
 Cont..

 The base width B1 of ∆AIJ can be chosen as

given by
𝐻1 𝐻1
𝐵1 = 𝑂𝑅 𝐵1 =
𝑆𝑐 −𝐶 𝜇(𝑆𝑐 −𝐶)
 Cont..
 The upstream face can be kept vertical up to
aa height H1 to be determined by trial and
whose approximate 1st value may be chosen
by:
,
𝐻1 = 2𝑎 ∗ 𝑆𝑐 − 𝐶
,
 Below the height 𝐻1 the upstream face as
well as the downstream face are sloped in
such a manner that no tension is developed
any-where in the dam, and the resultant
forces remains as close to the outer third and
the inner third points as possible for reservoir
empty and full case.
 Cont..
 Note
In most of the practical conservative designs,
the low gravity dam is designed as the figure
below and the d/s slope is not brought inward.
 Cont..
Design of high Dam
When the height of the dam exceeds H1 given
𝑓
by then it higher equal to H1 can be
𝛾𝑤 𝑆𝑐 +1
designed as low gravity dam as explained
earlier.
 Cont..
Construction Gravity Dams
 Before the construction of a dam can start in
river channel, the water of the river channel
must be temporarily diverted.
 It is advantageous to schedule the
construction of the lower portion of the dam
during normal periods of low flow so as to
minimize the diversion problem.
 The diversion of river water can be
accomplished in either of the following two
ways:
 Cont..
1. Provision of a diversion tunnel
 If geological and topographical conditions are
favorable, a diversion tunnel or a diversion
open channel may be constructed to carry
the entire flow around the dam site as:
 Cont..
2. By constructing the dam in two stages
 The dam is sometimes constructed in two
stages. In such a case, the flow is first of all,
diverted and confined to one side of channel
by constructing semi circle type of a coffer
dam.
 Cont..
Construction of galleries in gravity dam
 Galleries are horizontal or sloping openings or
passages left in the body of the dam.
 They may run longitudinally (parallel to dam
axis) or transversely (normal to dam axis)
and are provided at various elevations.
 All the galleries are interconnected by steeply
sloping passages or by vertical shaft fitted
with stairs or mechanical lifts.
 The size of a gallery will depend up on the
size of the dam and the function of the
gallery.
 Cont..
Types and functions of gallery's
I. Foundation gallery: a gallery provided in a
dam may serve one particular purpose or
more than one purpose e.g a gallery
provided near the rock foundation, serves to
drain off the water which percolates through
the foundation. This gallery is called
foundation gallery or drainage gallery.
II. Inspection gallery: it is a gallery to
provide access to the interior of the mass
comprising the dam with a view to inspect
the structure and study the structure
 Cont..
behaviors of the dam in post
construction period.
3. Gate gallery: it is a gallery made in a dam
to provide access to and to house the
mechanical equipment required for the
operation of gate in outlet conduits, power
penstocks or spillway crest.
Cracking of concrete in concrete gravity
dam.
 When concrete sets, a tremendous amount of
heat is liberated due to heat of hydration of
cement which will raise the temperature
 Cont..
inside the body of the dam. But the
temperature outside the dam remains equal
to the atmospheric temperature.
 Due to these temperature difference,
temperature stress get developed in the dam
body.
 Beside due to shrinkage of concrete as it
cools, shrinkage stresses get developed.
 These to stresses will case the concrete to
crack.
 Various measures generally adopted in
concrete dam.
 Cont..
1. Using minimum amount of cement in given
mix of specified strength.
2. Low lifts should be used for concrete. When
concrete is poured, it is poured up to a
certain height in the first attempt.
3. By providing suitably spaced contraction
joints, in addition to the normal construction
joint.
4. Special low heat cement may be used.
5. The material which go into the concrete, may
be cooled before mixing.
Cont..