2.

2.4 Analysis of Dams

Introduction
Dams are structures that block the flow of a river, stream, or other waterway. Some dams
divert the flow of river water into a pipeline, canal, or channel. Others raise the level of
inland waterways to make them navigable by ships and barges. Many dams harness the
energy of falling water to generate electric power. Dams also hold water for drinking and
crop irrigation, and provide flood control.
Topic Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the student must learn how to:
1. Understand the different types and purpose of dams.
2. Learn the steps in solving gravity dams.
3. Analyze the safety of a gravity dam.
Dams
Dams are structure whose purpose is to raise the water level on the upstream side
of river, stream, or another waterway. The rising water will cause hydrostatic force which
will tend the dam to slide horizontally and overturn about its downstream edge or toe.
The raised water level on the upstream edge or heel will also cause the water to seep under
the dam. The pressure due to this seepage is commonly called hydrostatic uplift and will
reduce the stability of the dam against sliding and against overturning.
Purpose of a Dam
Dams are built because of the following purposes:
1. Irrigation and Drinking
2. Power Supply
3. Navigation
4. Flood Control
Types of Dams 1. Gravity Dam
It uses only the force of gravity to resist water pressure. The gravity dams must
consist of a mass so heavy that the water in a reservoir cannot push the dam downstream
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or tip it over. They are much thicker at the base than the top—a shape that reflects the
distribution of forces of the water against the dam.

2. Embankment Dam
A gravity dam formed out of loose rock earth or a combination of these materials. The
upstream and downstream slopes of embankment dams are flatter than those of concrete
gravity dams. In essence, they more closely match the natural slope of a pile of rocks of
earth.

3. Arch Dam
Concrete or masonry structures that curve upstream into a reservoir stretching from
one wall of a river canyon. This design, based on the same principles as the architectural
arch and vault, transfers some water pressure onto the walls of the canyon. Arch dams
require a relatively narrow river canyon with solid rock walls capable of withstanding a
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significant amount of horizontal thrust. These dams do not need to be as massive as gravity
dams because the canyon walls carry part of the pressure exerted by the reservoir.

4. Buttress Dam
Consists of a wall or face supported by several buttresses on the downstream side.
The vast majority of buttress dams are made of concrete that is reinforced with steel.
Buttresses are typically spaced across the dam site every 6 to 30m (20 to 100 ft),
depending upon the size and design of the dam.

Forces Acting on a Gravity Dam

1. Weight of the Dam
2. Water Pressure
3. Uplift Pressure
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4. Wave Pressure
5. Earth and Silt Pressure
6. Earthquake Forces
7. Ice Pressure
A. Vertical Forces
1. Gravity Force (Weight of the Dam)
• The largest force acting on the mass of the dam is its weight or
gravity force.
• The weight or the gravity force is denoted by:
Wc- weight of the concrete, where
𝜸c – unit weight of the concrete
𝜸c = 23.54 kN/m3
Vc- volume of the
concrete 2. Gravity Force (Weight of Water, if
any)
Where: Ww- weight of the water
𝜸w – unit weight of the water
𝜸w = 9.81 kN/m3
Vw- volume of the water
3. Hydrostatic Uplift
• Some water under pressure finds their way between the base of the dam and
the foundation.
• This causes part of the total weight of the structure to be supported by water
which consequently reduces the reaction of the foundation and the general
stability of the dam. The effect is called hydrostatic uplift.
• In any design, the amount of uplift force U is mainly a matter of judgment
based upon the following factors:
 The physical characteristics of the foundation.
 The measures taken to prevent percolation.
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 The projected efficiency of foundation drains.
 The method of construction to be employed.
• Based from the design and construction of existing dam, the acceptable
practice is to consider the full hydrostatic pressure applied over two-thirds
of the horizontal base area.
4. Seismic Force
• Earthquake occurs in practically all parts of the world and hence, adequate
allowance should be made to include seismic forces in the design of gravity
dams.
Analysis of Gravity Dam
A dam is subjected to hydrostatic force due to water which is raised on its
upstream side. These forces cause the dam to slide horizontally on its foundation and
overturn it about its downstream edge or toe. These tendencies are resisted by friction on
the base of the dam and gravitational forces which causes a moment opposite to
overturning moment, OM. These may also be prevented from sliding by keying its base.
Steps in the Analysis of Gravity Dams
The weight of gravity dam will cause a moment opposite to the overturning moment and
the friction on the base will prevent the dam from sliding. The dam may also be prevented
from sliding by keying its base into the bedrock.
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• Step 1
Consider 1 unit length (1 m length) of dam perpendicular to the cross section.
• Step 2
Determine all the forces acting:
1. Vertical forces
• W = Weight of dam
• FV = Weight of water in the upstream side (if any)
• U = Hydrostatic uplift
• Weight of permanent structures on the dam
2. Horizontal forces
• FH = Horizontal component of total hydrostatic force
• Wind pressure, wave action, floating bodies, earthquake load, etc.
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• Step 3
Solve for the reaction:
1. Horizontal component of the reaction
Rx = ΣFH
2. Vertical component of the reaction
Ry = ΣFV
• Step 4
Moment about the toe:
1. Righting moment, RM
RM = Sum of all rotation towards the upstream side
2. Overturning moment, OM
OM = Sum of all rotation towards the downstream side
• Step 5
Location of Ry as measured from the toe:

Factors of Safety
Factor of safety against sliding, FSS

Factor of safety against overturning, FSO

Where μ = coefficient of friction between the base of the dam and the foundation.
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Foundation Pressure
Eccentricity, e

If e ≤ B/6, Ry is within the middle third and the foundation pressure is trapezoidal
acting from heel to toe. If e is exactly B/6, the shape of foundation pressure is triangular
also acting from heel to toe.

For the sign of 6e/B, use (+) at point where Ry is nearest. From the diagram above,
use (+) for qT and (-) for qH. A negative q indicates compressive stress and a positive q
indicates tensile stress. A positive q will occur when e > B/6. In foundation design, soil
is not allowed to carry tensile stress, thus, any +q will be neglected in the analysis.
If e > B/6, Ry is outside the middle third and the foundation pressure is triangular.
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Sample Problem:
A gravity dam of trapezoidal cross-section with one face vertical and horizontal base is
22m high and has a thickness of 4m at the top. Water upstream stands 2m below the crest
of the dam.
A. Neglecting hydrostatic uplift:
a. Find the base width B of the dam so that the resultant force will cut the
extreme edge of the middle third near the toe.
b. Compute the factors of safety against sliding and overturning. Use µ = 0.5
B. Considering uplift pressure to vary uniformly from full hydrostatic pressure at the
heel to zero at the toe:
a. Find the base width B of the dam so that the resultant force will act at the
extremity of the middle third near the toe.
b. Compute the maximum and minimum compressive stresses acting against
the base of the dam.