Gravity Dam
 

Plan View

Section View

Looking Upstream
K. Okada '99

 
 
Characteristics of Gravity Dams 
  • Uses the weight of the dam to resist opposing forces
  • Usually built of cement or masonry (earth and rock fill dams are gravity dams)
  • Main Advantage: simple design 
  • Main Disadvantage: requires large amounts of materials and construction
                                                            Reference: a
 

Arch Dam
 

Plan View 

Section View

Looking Upstream
S. Winzenread '99

 
 
Characteristics of Arch Dams 
  • Utilizes strength of the dam's material as opposed to gravity dams, which rely on the weight of the material.
  • More economical because less material is needed for construction.
  • V-shaped valleys were preferred as construction sites.
  • Early designs resemble gravity dams, but increased knowledge of the stresses induced by water pressure on the faces of arched dams led to thinner structures of less volume.
                                   Reference: a
 

Buttress Dam
 

Plan View

Section View

Looking Upstream

K. Okada '99

 
 
Characteristics of Buttress Dams
  • Large Buttresses are used to support the Dam
  • 3 main types 
    • Flat Slab
    • Multiple Arch
    • Massive Head
  • Main Advantage is its versatility. Does not require strong rock foundation needed for arch and does not require the large amount of building materials for gravity and buttresses; can be modified to the specific situation.
  • Main Disadvantage is the height limitation and it is harder to design and build than others.
                              Reference: a
 

Multiple-Arch Dam
 

Plan View

Section View

Looking Upstream

S. Winzenread '99

 
 
Characteristics of Multiple-Arch Dams 
  • Much like the arch dam, the multiple-arch reduces materials needed for construction.
  • This dam type can be adapted for use in a variety of canyons.
  • The structures are continuous and failure of key constituents could lead to loss of entire dam.
  • Foundations do not need to be as good as those for concrete arch dams.
  • None have been built in the U.S since 1962.
                                    Reference: a