Design and Construction of Earth and Rock Fill Dams

Jeffrey Havelin, P.E.

Course Outline

This six hour online course will explain the basic system components and site requirements for the design and construction of earth and rock fill dams. This course presents fundamental principles underlying the design and construction of earth and rock-fill dams. The general principles presented herein are also applicable to the design and construction of earth levees. The objective of this course is to present guidance on the design, construction, and performance monitoring of and modifications to embankment dams. The design and construction of earth and rock-fill dams are complex because of the nature of the varying foundation conditions and range of properties of the materials available for use in the embankment.

The increased development and expansion of the population in the Nation's watersheds have created a definite need to develop additional water supply. In many areas the existing national infrastructure can not meet these needs. The increase in urban development has also had a negative impact on water quality. The public is asking that preservation of the environment be an equal goal with the economic benefits of water resources projects. Since the current infrastructure is not meeting public needs, this situation is placing lives, livelihood, and property at risk. Several options are available to provide the additional quantity of water. The simplest and most cost-effective method to obtain the quantities needed is to add additional storage at existing dams.

This course is based entirely on General Design and Construction Considerations for Earth and Rock-Fill Dams Publication number - EM 1110 2300, July 2004 published by the US Army Corps of Engineers. This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials. You will be quizzed on the attached document in its entirety.

Learning Objective

This course will review the design principles, present applications, and various design criteria for dams. At the completion of this course the student will have reviewed the following topics, and should have a working knowledge of this material.

• Spillway and outlet capacity;
• Freeboard;
• Homogeneous dam with internal drainage on impervious foundation;
• Central core dam on impervious foundation;
• Inclined core dam on impervious foundation;
• Homogeneous dam with internal drainage on a pervious foundation;
• Central core dam on a pervious foundation;
• Dam with upstream impervious zone on a pervious foundation;
• Foundation design;
• Through rock abutment design;
• Saddle dams;
• Auxiliary spillway;
• Dewatering of the work area;
• Seepage control;
• Embankment -zonation;
• Cutoffs;
• Horizontal drains;
• Slurry trench;
• Upstream impervious blanket;
• Relief wells;
• Downstream seepage berm;
• Drainage galleries; and
• Through earth abutment design.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for engineers interested in learning about the design of earth or rock fill dams.

Benefit for Attendee

Attendee of this course will be able to evaluate site conditions for the feasibility of a proposed dam, and will have a better understanding of the design and construction requirements for dams.

Course Introduction

This course will review site conditions for the feasibility of a proposed dam. The objective of this course is to present guidance on the design, construction, and performance monitoring of and modifications to embankment dams. The design and construction of earth and rock-fill dams are complex because of the nature of the varying foundation conditions and range of properties of the materials available for use in the embankment.

Course Content

This course is based entirely on General Design and Construction Considerations for Earth and Rock-Fill Dams Publication number - EM 1110 2300, July 2004 published by the US Army Corps of Engineers .

The link to the course materials is as follows:

General Design and Construction Considerations for Earth and Rock-Fill Dams (EM 1110 2300)

You need to open or download above document to study this course.


Course Summary

Engineers should be able to evaluate site conditions for the feasibility of a proposed dam. The objective of this course was to present guidance on the design, construction, and performance monitoring of and modifications to embankment dams.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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