What is gravity dam in civil engineering?

A gravity dam is a dam constructed from concrete or stone masonry and designed to hold back water by using only the weight of the material and its resistance against the foundation to oppose the horizontal pressure of water pushing against it.

Do Civil engineers design dams?

Civil engineers conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment.

How do gravity dams work?

A concrete gravity dam has a triangular cross section with the base much wider than the crest. If the upstream face of the dam is sloped, a component of the water force pushes downward on the dam, contributing favorably to the stability of the structure.

What type of engineer makes dams?

Civil engineering is the design and construction of public works, such as dams, bridges and other large infrastructure projects.

Why is gravity dam considered as monolithic structure?

Concrete for the dam is usually placed in blocks depending on the dimensions of the dam, with a maximum width of about 50 ft on large dams. Keyways are provided between sections to carry the shear forces from one section to the adjacent one and make the gravity dam act as a monolithic structure.

What do you mean by gravity dam describe various forces acting?

A Gravity Dam has been defined as a structure which is designed in such a way that its own weight resist the external forces and this type of structure is most durable and solid. It requires less maintenance and it can be constructed with masonry or concrete.

How do engineers build dams?

Engineers must de-water the river where the dam is meant to be built. This is done by diverting the river through a tunnel that runs around the intended construction zone. Tunnels like this may be lined with concrete and are usually dug out using a combination of drilling and explosives.

What is the difference between earth dam and gravity dam?

An Earth (Embankment) Dam is just that – a wall of soil, sand, clay and rock that has been compacted to form a retaining structure behind which water can accumulate. A gravity dam is usually much larger and made of concrete. It relies on its weight to resist the horizontal pressure of water behind it.

What is the difference between arch dam and gravity dam?

Different thickness: A gravity dam is relatively thick while an arch dam is rather thin. The thickness of the upper arch dam body is always only 3–5 m so that the temperature may drop from the maximum to a very low value in a very short time before the expansive deformation of MgO concrete could develop.

Can gravity dam collapse?

A gravity dam may fail by the failure of its material, i.e. the compressive stresses produced may exceed the allowable stresses, and the dam material may get crushed.

What is a gravity dam?

A gravity dam is a dam constructed from concrete or stone masonry and designed to hold back water by primarily utilizing the weight of the material alone to resist the horizontal pressure of water pushing against it. Gravity dams are designed so that each section of the dam is stable, independent of any other dam section.

What is a dam in civil engineering?

Civil Engineering Dams A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigability. Hydropower is often used in conjunction with dams to generate electricity.

What are the different types of forces acting on a dam?

A Gravity Dam has been defined as a structure which is designed in such a way that its own weight resist the external forces and this type of structure is most durable and solid. It requires less maintenance and it can be constructed with masonry or concrete. Water Pressure. Uplift Pressure. Earthquake Forces. Silt Pressure. Wave Pressure.

Does wind pressure affect the design of a gravity dam?

Usually, the wind pressure is not significant for the design of gravity dams and is therefore neglect. However, the superstructure should consider in the design. A wind pressure of 1 to 1.5 kN/m 2 generally considers over the area exposed to high winds. If the dam is located in a seismic region, it should be designed for earthquake forces.