Design and Construction of Embankment Dams

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Important aspects of design and construction specific to an embankment dam include the following:

• Geotechnical Exploration
• Foundation Evaluation
• Seepage Analysis & Filter/Drain Design
• Slope Stability
• Borrow Investigation
• Inflow Design Flood
• Seismic Considerations

Best Practices Resources

Technical Release 210-60: Earth Dams and Reservoirs (Natural Resources Conservation Service)

National Engineering Handbook: Chapter 26 - Gradation Design of Sand and Gravel Filters (Natural Resources Conservation Service)

Engineering Guidelines for the Evaluation of Hydropower Projects: Chapter 4- Embankment Dams (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission)

Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

Technical Manual: Plastic Pipe Used in Embankment Dams (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

Geotextiles in Embankment Dams (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 1: General Design Standards) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 2: Embankment Design) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 3: Foundation Surface Treatment) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 4: Static Stability Analysis) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 5: Protective Filters) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 6: Freeboard) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 7: Riprap Slope Protection) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 8: Seepage) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 9: Static Deformation Analysis) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 10: Embankment Construction) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 11: Instrumentation and Monitoring) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 12: Foundation and Earth Materials Investigation) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 13: Seismic Analysis and Design) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 15: Foundation Grouting) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 16: Cutoff Walls) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 17: Soil-Cement Slope Protection) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 19: Geotextiles) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 20: Geomembranes) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 21: Water Removal and Control: Dewatering and Unwatering Systems) (Bureau of Reclamation)

Design of Small Dams (Bureau of Reclamation)

Trainings

On-Demand Webinar: Introduction to Embankment Dams

On-Demand Webinar: Filters and Drainage Systems for Embankment Dams

On-Demand Webinar: Filter Design History and a One-Step Design Process

Technical Seminar: Basic Soil Mechanics Related to Earth Dams