ASDSO Dam Safety Toolbox

Buttress Dams

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A diagram displaying how forces are transferred through the structure's buttress design.

(Photo Source: USBR, 2019)

A buttress dam is a specific type of gravity dam in which the large mass of concrete or masonry is reduced, and the forces are diverted to the dam foundation through vertical or sloping buttresses. Buttress dams are also referred to as multiple arch dams or Ambursen dams after engineer Nils F. Ambursen who developed and patented the design technique in the early 1900's.

Life Cycle of Buttress Dams

  1. Design and Construction of Buttress Dams
  2. O&M of Buttress Dams
  3. Decommissioning

Best Practices Resources

Engineering Guidelines for the Evaluation of Hydropower Projects: Chapter 10- Other Dams, FERC, 1997


Revision ID: 7311
Revision Date: 07/18/2023