ANALYSIS OF GRAVITY
DAMS
Definition:
A dam is a structure built across a stream, river or an estuary to retain water.
Purpose of Dams:
1. Irrigation for Agriculture Purposes
2. Storage of Water for Human and
Industrial Consumptions
3. To generate electricity
4. To increase the depth of waterways
for navigational purposes.
5. To provides lakes for recreational
purposes.
What is Gravity Dam?
A type of dam that uses gravity to resist the water
pressure in the dam. It is usually made up of stone
concrete, usually unreinforced, because it has high
density, cheap and strong in compression. This type of
dam must be massive enough so that it cannot be
pushed by the water in the reservoir. It has thicker
base to minimize the compressive stress of the soil
below the structure.
Forces Acting on a Gravity Dam
Gravity Forces (Weight)
𝑾𝟏 𝑾𝟏 , 𝑾𝟐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑾𝟑
𝑾𝟐 Hydrostatic Forces
𝑾𝟑 𝑭𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝟐
Uplift Force (U)
Overturning Moment
It is the resultant moment that may cause the rotation, or overturning, of
the dam in the toe.
𝑭𝟏 and U are overturning
forces. Thus, the moment of
these forces about the toe is
the overturning moment.
Righting Moment
It is a moment about the toe of
the dam that counteracts the
𝑾𝟏 overturning moment
𝑾𝟐
𝑾𝟏 , 𝑾𝟐 , 𝑾𝟑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑭𝟐 are
righting forces. Thus, the
𝑾𝟑
moment of these forces
about the toe is the
righting moment.
Distance of 𝑅𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑇𝑜𝑒
Consider the base of the dam 𝑀𝑡𝑜𝑒 = 0
𝑂𝑀 + 𝑅𝑦 𝑥 = RM
𝑹𝑴 − 𝑶𝑴
𝒙=
𝑹𝒚
Computations of the Soil (Foundation) Pressure
Step 1: Solve for the eccentricity (e)
𝑩
𝒆 = ȁ𝒙 − ȁ
𝟐
Step 2:
Case 1: 𝒆 ≤ 𝑩/𝟔
𝑹𝒚 𝟔𝒆 𝑹𝒚 𝟔𝒆
𝒒𝒎𝒊𝒏 = (𝟏 − ) 𝒒𝒎𝒂𝒙 = (𝟏 + )
𝑩 𝑩 𝑩 𝑩
If 𝑹𝒚 , is nearer to the toe than heel, then 𝒒𝒎𝒂𝒙 is at the toe, and if 𝑹𝒚 , is nearer to the heel than toe, the
𝒒𝒎𝒂𝒙 is at the heel.
𝑃 𝑀𝑐
𝑞= ±
𝐴 𝐼
𝐵
𝑃 = 𝑅𝑦 𝑅𝑦 𝑅𝑦 e( 2 )
𝑞= ±
𝐵 (𝐵)3
𝐴=𝐵 1
12
𝐴=𝐵
𝑅𝑦 6𝑅𝑦 e
M = 𝑅𝑦 e 𝑞= ±
𝐵 𝐵2
𝑐 = 𝐵/2
1(𝐵)3
𝐼= 𝑅𝑦 6e
12 𝑞= (1 ± )
(𝐵)3 𝐵 𝐵
𝐼=
12
Step 2:
Case 2: 𝒆 > 𝑩/𝟔
𝟐𝑹𝒚
𝒒𝒎𝒂𝒙 =
𝒒𝒎𝒊𝒏 = 𝟎 𝟑𝑺
Where s = distance of Ry from heel or toe
If 𝑹𝒚 , is nearer to the toe than heel, then 𝒒𝒎𝒂𝒙 is at the toe, and if 𝑹𝒚 , is nearer to the heel than toe, the
𝒒𝒎𝒂𝒙 is at the heel.
Factor of Safety (FS)
1. Factor of Safety Against Sliding (𝐹𝑆𝑠 )
𝝁𝑹𝒚 𝝁 – coefficient of friction between the soil and
𝑭𝑺𝒔 =
𝑹𝒙 base of the dam
2. Factor of Safety Against Overturning (𝐹𝑆𝑜 )
𝑹𝑴 Note: In order to consider the dam to be safe, its
𝑭𝑺𝟎 =
𝑹𝑶 factor of safety must be at least 1.0
Procedure for Analysis
Assume 1 unit strip of the dam:
1. Identify the forces that will act on the gravity dam ( weight,
hydrostatic forces, uplift force, etc.) Then determine the distance of
these forces from the toe of the dam.
2. Compute for the righting and overturning moments.
3. Compute the reactions Rx and Ry of the dam, and the distance of Ry
from the toe.
4. Solve for the other required values.
Problem 1: A concrete dam 4m on top and 10 m at the bottom and 25 m high has water 20
m deep acting on its vertical sides. The coefficient of friction between the soil and dam is
0.60.
a. How far is the vertical
resultant force from
the toe?
b. What is the soil
pressure in the heel?
c. What is the soil
pressure in the toe?
d. What is the factor of
safety against sliding?
e. What is the factor of
safety against
overturning?
Problem 1: A concrete dam 4m on top and 10 m at the bottom and 25 m high has water 20
m deep acting on its vertical sides. The coefficient of friction between the soil and dam is
0.60. 𝑊1 = 𝛾𝑐 𝑉1
1
𝑊1 = 2.4𝑥9.81 ( 6 25 )(1)
2
W2
𝑊1 = 1765.8 𝑘𝑁
W1
𝑊2 = 2.4𝑥9.81 4 25 (1)
𝑊2 = 2354.4 𝑘𝑁
1
𝐹1 = ( 196.2 20 )(1)
2
F1
𝐹1 = 1962 𝑘𝑁
2
𝑅𝑀 = 1765.8 (6) + 2354.4(6 + 0.5 4 )
3
𝑅𝑀 = 25898.4 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚
O𝑀 = 𝐹1 (1/3(20))
O𝑀 = 1962(1/3(20))
O𝑀 = 13080 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚
Problem 1: A concrete dam 4m on top and 10 m at the bottom and 25 m high has water 20
m deep acting on its vertical sides. The coefficient of friction between the soil and dam is
0.60.
Computation of 𝑅𝑥 and 𝑅𝑦
W2
𝑅𝑥 = 𝐹1
W1
𝑅𝑥 = 1962 kN
F1 𝑅𝑦 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2
𝑅𝑦 = 1765.8 + 2354.4
𝑅𝑦 = 4120.2 𝑘𝑁
Distance of 𝑅𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑇𝑜𝑒
Consider the base of the dam
𝑹𝑴 − 𝑶𝑴
𝒙=
𝑹𝒚
25898.4 − 13080
𝑥=
4120.2
𝒙 = 𝟑. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 𝒎
Computations of the Soil (Foundation) Pressure
Solve for the eccentricity (e)
𝑩 10
𝒆 = ȁ𝒙 − ȁ 𝑒 = ȁ3.1111 − ȁ 𝑒= 1.8889 m
𝟐 2
≤ 𝐵
Check if e is
≥ 6
𝒒𝒎𝒊𝒏 = 𝟎
1.8889 > 1.6667
2(4120.2)
𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
3(3.1111)
𝒒𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟖𝟖𝟐. 𝟖𝟎𝟑 𝒌𝑷𝒂
Factor of Safety (FS)
1. Factor of Safety Against Sliding (𝐹𝑆𝑠 )
𝝁𝑹𝒚 0.60(4120.2) 𝑭𝑺𝒔 = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟔
𝑭𝑺𝒔 = 𝐹𝑆𝑠 =
𝑹𝒙 1962
2. Factor of Safety Against Overturning (𝐹𝑆𝑜 )
𝑹𝑴 25898.4 𝑭𝑺𝟎 = 𝟏. 𝟗𝟖
𝑭𝑺𝟎 = 𝐹𝑆0 =
𝑹𝑶 13080
Problem 2: A concrete dam 4m on top and 10 m at the bottom and 25 m high has water 20 m deep acting on
its vertical sides. The coefficient of friction between the soil and dam is 0.60. Assume there is hydrostatic uplift
that varies uniformly from full hydrostatic head at heel of the dam to zero at the toe.
a. How far is the vertical
resultant force from
the toe?
b. What is the soil
pressure in the heel?
c. What is the soil
pressure in the toe?
d. What is the factor of
safety against sliding?
e. What is the factor of
safety against
overturning?
Problem 1: A concrete dam 4m on top and 10 m at the bottom and 25 m high has water 20
m deep acting on its vertical sides. The coefficient of friction between the soil and dam is
0.60.
𝑊1 = 1765.8 𝑘𝑁
𝑊2 = 2354.4 𝑘𝑁
W2
𝐹1 = 1962 𝑘𝑁
W1 1
𝑈= 196.2 10 (1)
2
𝑈 = 981 𝑘𝑁
F1
2
𝑅𝑀 = 1765.8 (6) + 2354.4(6 + 0.5 4 )
3
𝑅𝑀 = 25898.4 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚
2
O𝑀 = 1962(1/3(20)) + 981( (10))
3
O𝑀 = 19620 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚
U
Problem 1: A concrete dam 4m on top and 10 m at the bottom and 25 m high has water 20
m deep acting on its vertical sides. The coefficient of friction between the soil and dam is
0.60.
Computation of 𝑅𝑥 and 𝑅𝑦
W2
𝑅𝑥 = 𝐹1
W1
𝑅𝑥 = 1962 kN
F1 𝑅𝑦 = 𝑊1 + 𝑊2 - U
𝑅𝑦 =1765.8 + 2354.4 - 981
𝑅𝑦 =3139.2 kN
U
Distance of 𝑅𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑇𝑜𝑒
Consider the base of the dam
𝑹𝑴 − 𝑶𝑴
𝒙=
𝑹𝒚
25898.4 − 19620
𝑥=
3139.2
𝒙=𝟐𝒎
Computations of the Soil (Foundation) Pressure
Solve for the eccentricity (e)
𝑩 10
𝒆 = ȁ𝒙 − ȁ 𝑒 = ȁ2 − ȁ 𝑒= 3 m
𝟐 2
≤ 𝐵
Check if e is
≥ 6
𝒒𝒎𝒊𝒏 = 𝟎
3 > 1.6667
2(3139.2)
𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
3(2)
𝒒𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟏𝟎𝟒𝟔. 𝟒 𝒌𝑷𝒂
Factor of Safety (FS)
1. Factor of Safety Against Sliding (𝐹𝑆𝑠 )
𝝁𝑹𝒚 0.60(3139.2) 𝑭𝑺𝒔 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟔
𝑭𝑺𝒔 = 𝐹𝑆𝑠 =
𝑹𝒙 1962
2. Factor of Safety Against Overturning (𝐹𝑆𝑜 )
𝑹𝑴 25898.4 𝑭𝑺𝟎 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟐
𝑭𝑺𝟎 = 𝐹𝑆0 =
𝑹𝑶 19620
