Dam Tutorial session:-
Q#1. For a concrete gravity dam section shown in Figure 1. (a) check the stability for reservoir
empty and full conditions neglecting seismic forces; (b) Check the stability of the dam
considering the seismic force with a seismic coefficient αh= αv=0.1.
7.5m 75.00
72.00
62.50
45.00 0.7
1
0.1
1
7m
Drainage Gallery
0.00
Other data:
ϒc=24KN/m3 ; ϒw=9.81KN/m3 ; f=0.7; ϕ=1.0; S=3MPa
Solution: (case a)
Here is an existing dam/a proposed dam section is going to be analyzed for its stability against
different modes if failure. The analysis is often carried first by computing the relevant forces and
moments at a certain point moment center (in this case the toe of the dam). Forces acting on the
dam and moments about toe (the remote and sensitive point).
Table 1: Force and moment Calculation
Lever
Force Forces, KN arm Moment (KN.m/m)
SN Description
symbol about
Horizontal Vertical toe (m) Overturning Restoring
1 W1 0.5*45*4.5*24*1 2430 52.75 128182.5
2 W2 7.5*75*1*24 13500 47.5 641250
3 W3 0.5*62.5*43.75*1*24 32812.5 29.167 957031.25
4 PH 0.5*9.81*72*72 25427.52 24 610260.48
5 PV1 27*4.5*9.81*1 1191.915 53.5 63767.453
6 PV2 0.5*45*4.5*9.8*1 992.25 54.25 53829.563
7 PU1 0.5*7*470.88*1 -1648.08 53.4167 88034.94
8 PU2 7*235.44*1 -1648.08 52.25 86112.18
9 PU3 0.5*43.75*235.44*1 -5150.25 32.5 167383.13
Sum(1-3) Reservoir Empty cdn 0 48742.5 0 1726463.8
Sum(1-6) Reservoir Full Cdn 25427.52 42480.26 951790.73 117597.02
Therefore;
a) For reservoir empty condition
The structure is safe against overturning and slides modes of failure b/c there is no
overturning moment and sliding forces, respectively. However, the dam may be checked
for overstressing due to self-weight.
∑
( )
To determine e, we need to compute the position of the resultant force.
∑
̅ ∑
= The summation all moments/the summation of all vertical forces
̅ 1726463.8/48742.5 =35.422m (the point of application of the resultant force from the toe, as
we have taken the lever arm at toe). Middle third =28.88m
Eccentricity (e) =B/2 - ̅ =55.75m/2 -35.42m =-7.55m FR
toe
Compare e with B/6 =55.75/6 =9.29m.
Therefore, the resultant is within the middle third and hence tension will not be developed
anywhere at the base of the dam.
( ( ))
( ( ))
b) Reservoir Full condition
i. Safety against overturning
∑
ii. Safety against sliding
∑
∑
∑
∑
iii. Overstressing
∑
( )
To determine e, we need to compute the position of the resultant force.
∑
̅ ∑
= The summation all moments/the summation of all vertical forces
̅ 892270.04/ =21.0m (the point of application of the resultant force from the toe, as
we have taken the lever arm at toe). Middle third =28.88m
FR
Eccentricity (e) =B/2 - ̅ =55.75m/2 -21.0m =6.87m
toe
Compare e with B/6 =55.75/6 =9.29m>6.87m
Therefore, the resultant is within the middle third and hence tension will not be developed
anywhere at the base of the dam.
( ( ))
( ( ))
Conclusion: The dam is safe against all the failure mode for reservoir full and empty conditions
at the base and for the drains operating condition.
Exercise: Check the stability of the dam for drains not operating (choked) or not provided. Only
the uplift force components will be computed and similar procedures will follow.
Case (b): Seismic Forces Considered
In this case the inertia force and the moments have been considered.
SN Force symbol Description Forces, KN Lever Moment (KN.m/m)
arm
Horizontal Vertical about toe Overturning Restoring
(m)
1 W1 0.5*45*4.5*24*1 2430 52.75 128182.5
2 W2 7.5*75*1*24 13500 47.5 641250
3 W3 0.5*62.5*43.75*1*2 32812.5 29.167 957031.25
4
4 PH 0.5*9.81*72*72 25427.52 24 610260.48
5 PV1 27*4.5*9.81*1 1191.915 53.5 63767.453
6 PV2 0.5*45*4.5*9.8*1 992.25 54.25 53829.563
7 PU1 0.5*7*470.88*1 -1648.08 53.4167 88034.94
8 PU2 7*235.44*1 -1648.08 52.25 86112.18
9 PU3 0.5*43.75*235.44*1 -5150.25 32.5 167383.13
Sum(1-3) Reservoir Empty cdn 0 48742.5 0 1726463.8
Sum(1-6) Reservoir Full Cdn 25427.52 42480.26 951790.73 1844060.8
SN Force Description Forces, KN Lever Moment (KN.m/m)
symbol Horizontal Vertical arm (m) Overturning Restoring
10 αvW1 0.1*0.5*45*4.5*24* -243 52.75 12818.25
1
11 αvW2 0.1*7.5*75*1*24 -1350 47.5 64125
12 αvW3 0.1*0.5*62.5*43.75* -3281.25 29.167 95703.125
1*24
13 αhW1 0.1*0.5*45*4.5*24* 243 15 3645
1
14 αhW2 0.1*7.5*75*1*24 1350 37.5 50625
15 αhW3 0.1*0.5*62.5*43.75* 3281.25 20.83333 68359.375
1*24
16 Pe 0.726*49.92*72 2609.418 77407.799
Sum (1- (vertical accn downwards) 25427.52 37606.01 1201844.9 1844060.7
12)+(16) 65
Sum (1-9)+(13- horizontal accn upstream) 32911.19 42480.26 1151827.9 1844060.7
16) 65
To find the pe, cm should be obtained.
Cm=0.736*(1-фu/90). However, the upstream face of the dam is partially vertical and partially
sloping. Therefore, we need to make it either vertical of sloping face based criteria (as shown in
the following Figure).
H =72; h=27(=72-45); h=27m <72/2 =36m; therefore the upstream sloping shall be sloping from
heel to the reservoir-dam intersection point.
tan (фu)=4.5/72 ….. фu =tan-1 (4.5/72) =3.5763
Cm=0.736(1-3.5763/90)=0.707; since Cm =C at the dam base;
Therefore, the hydrostatic pressure is computed as: pe = 0.707*0.1*9.81*72 = 49.92KN/m2
Pe = 0.726*pe*h Hydrostatic pressure force
Me = 0.299*pe*h*h Moment due to hydrostatic pressure
Analysis (Horizontal Earth quack)
i) Safety against overturning
∑
ii) Safety against sliding
∑
∑
∑
∑
iii) Overstressing
∑
( )
To determine e, we need to compute the position of the resultant force.
∑
̅ ∑
= The summation all moments/the summation of all vertical forces
̅ 692232.866/ =16.30m (the point of application of the resultant force from the toe,
as we have taken the lever arm at toe). Middle third =28.88m
FR
Eccentricity (e) =B/2 - ̅ =55.75m/2 -16.30m =11.58m
toe
Compare e with B/6 =55.75/6 =9.29m<11.58m
Therefore, the resultant is outside the middle third and hence tension will be developed at the
heel of the dam (opposite corner).
( ( ))
( ( ))
Conclusion: The dam is NOT safe against all modes of failure mail fail either by sliding and or
tension or cracking failure. Therefore, revision of section is needed to accommodate the seismic
loading and avoid sliding failure.
Exercise: Consider the vertical acceleration and carryout the same analysis. Is the dam safe
against the different modes of failure?