ASDSO Dam Safety Toolbox

Design and Construction of Arch Dams

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Learn from the critical design flaws that led to the failure of Malpasset Dam (DamFailures.org)

“Unlike a concrete gravity dam which carries the entire load by its self weight, an arch dam obtains its stability by both the self weight and, to a great extent, by transmitting the imposed loads by arch action into the valley walls. The geometry of the dam site is, therefore, the most basic consideration in the selection of an arch dam. As a general rule, an arch dam requires a site with abutments of sufficient strength to support the arch thrust. On special occasions artificial abutments – thrust blocks – may be used in the absence of suitable abutment(s)”.[1]

Examples

Learn from the critical design flaws that led to the failure of Malpasset Dam (DamFailures.org)

Best Practices Resources

Arch Dam Design (EM 1110-2-2201), USACE, 1994

Engineering Guidelines for the Evaluation of Hydropower Projects: Chapter 11- Arch Dams, FERC, 1999

Design Criteria for Concrete Arch and Gravity Dams (EM 19), USBR, 1977

Trainings

On-Demand Webinar: Analysis of Concrete Arch Dams


Citations:


Revision ID: 5428
Revision Date: 12/13/2022