International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering

Assessment of Dam

  1. Birendra Kumar Singh
  2. Mani Mohan

Abstract

Stability of slope is the dominant parameter for construction of Dam. Slope gives bottom width. More
bottom width gives stability of dam. Normally, the bottom width of dam is taken as twice times of top
width of dam (at least). Since maximum thrust of water is acting at bottom of dam (wh), where w = Unit
weight of water (1000 Kg/m3), h = depth of water in meter, hence bottom width is taken as maximum
as compared to top width. Normally, slope of dam is taken as 30o. Thrust of water produces overturning
moment of base, of which magnitude is π‘€β„Ž/2/2π‘₯β€„β„Ž3[where h = depth of water & w = unit weight of water
in Kg/m3]. This overturning moment is balanced by restoring moment produced by weight of dam π‘Šπ‘₯
[ where w = weight of dam( 𝑏 +𝑏)/ 2 π‘₯β€„β„Ž1 π‘₯ 1 π‘₯ 1850 𝐾𝑔] where a = top width of dam, b = bottom width
of dam, h1 = height of dam & 1850 Kg/m3 is unit weight of masonry). Restoring moment should be more
than overturning moment for stability of dam π‘₯ = C.G. distance from face of dam π‘₯ =(β€„π‘Ž2+π‘Žπ‘+𝑏2)/3(π‘Ž+𝑏)
.

References (1)

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