Print this page Arch Dam Design
Vincent D. Reynolds, MBA, P.E.
Course Outline
Arch Dams play and important part in controlling water flow to create lakes, hydroelectric power, and water for irrigation among other things. This course will provide information regarding the design of Arch Dams and a discussion of its engineering properties. These course materials are based solely on the report “Arch Dam Design” as found on the website of the Army Corps of Engineering.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.
Learning
Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student would have learned the following:
- Situations where arch dams are useful;
- How arch dams transfer forces to canyon walls;
- The Cl: h ratio for Narrow – V sites;
- When undercutting is useful;
- The most economical length to width ratio for arch dams;
- The angle of arch thrust and rock contours;
- When detached spillways are useful;
- How temperature differentials produce stress;
- The minimum height of parapets above sidewalks;
- When restitution concrete is useful;
- How to determine the depth of dental treatment;
- How variable temperatures can produce loads;
- The three phases of the life cycle process of a project;
- The importance of the reconnaissance phase;
- How to find the radius of the dam axis;
- How insufficient curvature can influence tensile stress;
- How to determine the thickness of the crown;
- The importance of smooth foundations in arch dam design;
- How to determine the minimum stress in arch dams;
- How to determine Poisson’s ratio;
- Basic loads contributing to the design of safe dams;
- How to find the downstream displacement;
- How thrust blocks can be used as artificial abutments;
- How earthquakes effect arch dams;
- The minimum study area that should be covered in studying the regional geologic settings;
- Definition of reservoir-induced earthquakes;
- The percentage of damping used in the design spectra;
- How to determine the pseudo-velocity for an OBE response spectrum;
- The response of damping on arch dams;
- How to calculate the Raleigh damping equation;
- How to determine the maximum values of total stress;
- How impounded water can effect the temperature of a dam;
- How to find the reservoir temperatures for various dams;
- The season of the year when dams are subjected to the most severe loadings;
- How to determine the mean air-temperature;
- The stage at which concrete heats up while curing;
- The effects of tensile stress;
- The advantages of precooling;
- Precooling methods;
- How pozzolans are used in concrete mixes;
- The most likely combination of aggregates;
- Admixtures used in arch dam construction;
- How to determine the required compressive strength of concrete;
- How to determine the maximum permissible water-cement ratio;
- How to determine the design age for mass concrete;
- The definition of creep;
- The typical range of specific heat for mass concrete;
- How to determine the specific heat;
- How to calculate the rock mass rating;
- How to determine the modulus of deformation;
- The effective sliding factor of safety for loads;
- The minimum concrete compressive strength used on arch dams;
- How horizontal displacement can be monitored;
- How to identify seepage;
- How extensometers are used;
- How flumes are used as diversions;
- When to apply consolation grouting;
- The maximum height of monoliths;
- The typical lift heights during construction; and
- The typical range of joint openings needed for grouting.
Intended Audience and Benefit
This course is intended for anyone with an interest in Arch Dams, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydraulics, power generation, hydrology, hydrogeology or anyone wanting to know more information regarding Arch Dam Design.
Course Introduction
Arch Dams are essential in controlling water flow for the purposes of flood control, irrigation, creating bodies of water and for hydroelectric power. Arch Dams maintain their stability against forces and loads from their geometric shape and the strength and mass of the concrete. There are several design restraints and processed related to Arch Dams and disciplines from various areas of civil engineering play an integral part in the design, and placement of Arch Dams.
Course Content
This course will examine the use of Arch Dams under several different circumstances. It will provide useful information to determine the size and area of dam needed to withstand hydrostatic forces among others. The course materials are based solely on the engineer manual “Arch Dam Design” as found on the website of the Army Corps of engineers. This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.
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Course Summary
The information presented in this course could be used to enhance the student’s knowledge of Arch Dam Design. Using this knowledge could enable to reader to design safer levees, and hydroelectric power plants, among other developments that utilize Arch Dams.
As always good judgment and good engineering judgment is always paramount in any situation. Utilizing good judgment and the knowledge gained in this course can provide much more safer and efficient Arch Dams.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
http://www.trb.com/
http://www.usace.army.mil/
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
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.
