4-1 Methods of Construction of A Subsurface Dam
4-1 Methods of Construction of A Subsurface Dam
4-1 Methods of Construction of A Subsurface Dam
The various construction methods of a subsurface dam are listed in Table 4.1.
In some countries including Japan, there have already been several examples of subsurface
dams. The majority of them were constructed by a method known as "cut-off wall by
underground diaphragm wall (e.g. soil-cement mixing wall method)". Theoretically, a
subsurface dam utilizes a "cut-off wall" for groundwater storage, and can be built using the
“cut-off wall” method appropriate for local conditions.
Column-type Casting wall of mortar This method was used to construct the subsurface
underground piles continuously dam at Miyako Island in Japan. It requires
diaphragm wall on-site highly sophisticated equipment.
Application Grouting method Injection of mortar into This method was partially used in the
of ground boreholes drilled construction of the subsurface dam at Miyako
improvement intermittently Island. It is widely applicable because small and
method medium-size equipment can be used. However,
confirmation of the effect of water cut-off is
somewhat difficult.
Application Method of Structure of concrete This is suitable for the "torrent dam"-type
of general concrete dam dam under ground fully subsurface dam whose crest is exposed above the
dam construction or by half ground surface (there are some examples in
construction (excavation/construction countries such as Kenya). The construction
method of dam body/filling costs are higher than those of the "earth dam"-
back) type subsurface dams. Countermeasures against
water leakage are required. For deep
excavation, the costs would be too high.
Method of earth Structure of earth dam This method was used for this project. Dams of
dam construction under ground this type can be constructed using ordinary civil
engineering equipment, and construction
management is easy. However, countermeasures
against water leakage are required. For deep
excavation, the costs would be too high.
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In this project at Nare, the "earth dam" method shown at the bottom of Table 4.1 was adopted
for the following reasons:
1) The "fossil valley" was buried deep (about 8 m below the ground surface), and it had
almost no groundwater run-off in the dry season. It was thus possible to apply this
method.
2) This method does not require sophisticated machines and could be carried out with
those available in Burkina Faso.
3) The cost of construction, including transportation and rental of machines, was the
lowest.
The characteristics of the subsurface dam built at Nare for this model project are as follows:
(1) Site
In the fossil valley in the Koulikare Quarter, Nare Village, Tougouri District, Namentenga
Province, Burkina Faso
At the upstream side of the base of the dam, an "anchor key" with about a 3- to 4-m width and
a 1.5-m depth (protrusion into the basement rock) was formed to protect the base. At a level
just above the crest, about a 1-m-thick layer of gravel with a similar diameter was laid to
ensure good permeability.