Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Embankment Dams and Geotechnical Considerations

In course

CIVIL-411: Dam engineering

Dams are paramount for human development around the world. The course is an introduction to the fascinating domain of dam engineering, from design to construction, for water storage and regulated supply, including for renewable energy generation (hydropowe ...

Description

This lecture covers the design and construction of embankment dams, focusing on the influence of geology, foundation conditions, and ancillary structures. It discusses the selection criteria for dam sites, the behavior of embankment dams after flooding, and the importance of detailed geotechnical studies. The presentation also addresses the different types of embankment dams, such as earth/rockfill dams and zoned earth dams, emphasizing the significance of core materials, sealing elements, and drainage systems. Additionally, it explores the impact of dam behavior on site choice, including settlement issues, water pressure effects, and long-term consolidation. The lecture concludes with a discussion on the construction phases, materials selection, and the ecological aspects of cemented material dams.

This video is available exclusively on Mediaspace for a restricted audience. Please log in to MediaSpace to access it if you have the necessary permissions.

Watch on Mediaspace

Instructors (2)

Laurent Mouvet

Pedro Filipe De Almeida Manso

Official source

Related concepts (31)

Embankment dam

An embankment dam is a large artificial dam. It is typically created by the placement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil or rock. It has a semi-pervious waterproof natural covering for its surface and a dense, impervious core. This makes the dam impervious to surface or seepage erosion. Such a dam is composed of fragmented independent material particles. The friction and interaction of particles binds the particles together into a stable mass rather than by the use of a cementing substance.

Dam

A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigability. Hydropower is often used in conjunction with dams to generate electricity. A dam can also be used to collect or store water which can be evenly distributed between locations.

Portland cement

Portland cement is the most common type of cement in general use around the world as a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar, stucco, and non-specialty grout. It was developed from other types of hydraulic lime in England in the early 19th century by Joseph Aspdin, and is usually made from limestone. It is a fine powder, produced by heating limestone and clay minerals in a kiln to form clinker, grinding the clinker, and adding 2 to 3 percent of gypsum. Several types of portland cement are available.

Drainage system (agriculture)

An agricultural drainage system is a system by which water is drained on or in the soil to enhance agricultural production of crops. It may involve any combination of stormwater control, erosion control, and watertable control. While there are more than two types of drainage systems employed in agriculture, there are two main types: (1) surface drainage and (2) sub-surface drainage. Figure 1 classifies the various types of drainage systems. It shows the field (or internal) and the main (or external) systems.

Construction management

Construction management (CM) is a professional service that uses specialized, project management techniques and software to oversee the planning, design, construction and closeout of a project. The purpose of construction management is to control the quality of a project's scope, time / delivery and cost—sometimes referred to as a project management triangle or "triple constraints." CM is compatible with all project delivery systems, including design-bid-build, design-build, CM At-Risk and Public Private Partnerships.

Related lectures (38)

River Thresholds and Dams: Hydraulic Constructions

Covers the design and construction of river thresholds and dams.

Structural Analysis of Bridge Design

Covers the structural analysis of bridge design, focusing on self-weight, moment, compressive force, and interaction diagrams in reinforced concrete.

Retaining Walls: Design and Stability

Explores the design and stability of various types of retaining walls in geotechnical engineering.

Pile Foundations: Design and Construction

Explores pile foundations design, construction, factors influencing bearing capacity, and static loading tests.

Teton Dam Disaster: earthfill dam hydraulic rupture

Discusses the Teton Dam Disaster of 1976 in Idaho, covering its construction, failure sequence, warning signs, breach, and causes.

Related concepts (31)

Embankment dam

Dam

Portland cement

Drainage system (agriculture)

Construction management