What are the forces acting on gravity dam?

External Forces Acting on Gravity Dam. Water Pressure. Uplift Pressure. Earthquake Forces.

What is the forces of dams?

The principle force acting on a dam is the weight of the water behind the dam. Other forces include the weight of the dam itself and in some cases wave pressure and earthquake forces.

Which forces give stability to gravity dam?

A gravity dam is subjected to the following forces. Self weight of a gravity dam is main stabilizing force. Water pressure on the upstream side (Figure 29.2) is the main destabilizing force in gravity dam. Downstream side may also have water pressure.

What is earthquake forces in a gravity dam?

A concrete gravity dam is a submerged complicated structure which is designed in such a way that its own weight resists the external forces and hence its behavior under seismic actions due to earthquakes has become a matter of immense interest by the researchers.

How do gravity dams work?

A concrete gravity dam has a triangular cross section with the base much wider than the crest. The dam is configured to provide enough mass and a sufficiently wide base to resist sliding and overturning in response to the force of water pushing against it.

Which is the most critical factor in gravity dam?

Factors Affecting Selection of Dam

  • Topography. Topography dictates the first choice of the type of dam.
  • Geological and Foundation Conditions.
  • Availability of Materials.
  • Spillway Size and Location.
  • Earthquake Zone.
  • Height of Dam.

What is stability analysis of gravity dam?

Stability analysis for gravity dams often is simplified into a two-dimensional rigid body analysis of a cross section of the structure (see Figure 1) and is focused on stability against sliding. In this analysis, overturning of the dam is considered within the context of its potential influence on sliding.

Why gravity dam is called gravity dam?

A gravity dam is made from concrete or masonry, or sometimes both. It is called a gravity dam because gravity holds it down to the ground stopping the water in the reservoir pushing it over.

What is true in case of gravity dam?

Explanation: The masonry and concrete gravity dams are usually designed in such a way that no tension is developed anywhere in the structure. The maximum permissible tensile stress for high gravity dams is taken as 500 KN/m2 under worst conditions. If subjected to such tensile stresses crack develops near the heel.

Which exerts more pressure on a dam?

The deeper the water, the more horizontal pressure it exerts on the dam. So at the surface of the reservoir, the water is exerting no pressure and at the bottom of the reservoir, the water is exerting maximum pressure.

What is uplift force in dam?

Uplift is an active force that exists within both the foundation and the concrete structure itself. This pressure is present in cracks, pores, and joints of the concrete within a dam, at the interface between the dam and the foundation, and in cracks, pores, and seams within the foundation rock.