Lecture

Arch Dams: Construction and Stability Analysis

Graph Chat

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.

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 importance of arch dams, the choice of location based on geological and topographical criteria, the construction details of concrete dams, and the stability analysis of gravity dams. It also discusses the factors influencing the height of the dam, the shape of horizontal and vertical sections, and the behavior of the foundation rock during construction and operation.

Instructors (2)

Laurent Mouvet

Pedro Filipe De Almeida Manso

Expertise Dams & hydraulic structures, Hydropower (large/small/pumped-storage), Hydrology & Water Resources, Hydraulic modellingRock scour, Sediment management, Air-water-rock interaction, Fluid-structure/interface interactionFeasibility studies, Project & Team Management Expertise Dams & hydraulic structures, Hydropower (large/small/pumped-storage), Hydrology & Water Resources, Hydraulic modellingRock scour, Sediment management, Air-water-rock interaction, Fluid-structure/interface interactionFeasibility s

Official source

Related concepts (32)

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.

Concrete

Concrete is a composite material composed of aggregate bonded together with a fluid cement that cures over time. Concrete is the second-most-used substance in the world after water, and is the most widely used building material. Its usage worldwide, ton for ton, is twice that of steel, wood, plastics, and aluminium combined. When aggregate is mixed with dry Portland cement and water, the mixture forms a fluid slurry that is easily poured and molded into shape.

Prestressed concrete

Prestressed concrete is a form of concrete used in construction. It is substantially "prestressed" (compressed) during production, in a manner that strengthens it against tensile forces which will exist when in service. This compression is produced by the tensioning of high-strength "tendons" located within or adjacent to the concrete and is done to improve the performance of the concrete in service. Tendons may consist of single wires, multi-wire strands or threaded bars that are most commonly made from high-tensile steels, carbon fiber or aramid fiber.

Types of concrete

Concrete is produced in a variety of compositions, finishes and performance characteristics to meet a wide range of needs. Modern concrete mix designs can be complex. The choice of a concrete mix depends on the need of the project both in terms of strength and appearance and in relation to local legislation and building codes. The design begins by determining the requirements of the concrete. These requirements take into consideration the weather conditions that the concrete will be exposed to in service, and the required design strength.

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.

Related lectures (53)

Instructional Design Document: Key Elements

Focuses on the key elements of an Instructional Design Document, covering scope, delivery, objectives, materials, stakeholders, and outline.

Temperature Effects in Concrete and Arch Dams

Explores the impact of temperature on concrete and arch dams, admissible stresses, and stability.

Air Pollution Data Analysis

Covers the analysis of air pollution data, focusing on R basics, visualizing time series, and creating summaries of pollutant concentrations.

Reservoirs and Dams: Hydraulic Works and Installations

Explores the role, operation, and sizing of reservoirs and dams in hydraulic works and installations.

Advanced Design of Concrete Structures

Explores advanced design concepts for concrete structures, including reduction of dimensions and new cross-section shapes.

Related concepts (32)