Design and Construction of Arch Dams

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]