On-Demand Webinar: Dam Overtopping Protection Systems Part I
Association of State Dam Safety Officials, 2019
This is the first of a two-part series on overtopping protection systems for embankment and concrete dams. Many dams today have insufficient spillway capacity and may be overtopped during large floods below the regulatory requirement. In recent years, dam overtopping protection has become increasingly popular as a means to provide additional flood release capacity when more conventional methods such as increasing spillway discharge capacity or reservoir storage are cost prohibitive or impractical. This course will present many of the overtopping protection systems currently in use, describing for each their range of design applications, construction considerations, and potential limitations and risks. Using FEMA’s 2014 Technical Manual: Overtopping Protection for Dams as a guide, the two most commonly used systems today, roller-compacted concrete (RCC), and articulating concrete blocks (ACB) will first be presented, followed by various reinforced concrete, turf, and rockfill alternatives for embankment dams. The course will conclude with special applications for concrete dams. Part 2 explores the performance of various systems in hydraulic model studies.
Key Take-aways:
- Exposure to wide range of potential overtopping protection systems for dams.
- Case histories of design applications and performance.
- Limitations of use, including infrequent operation and/or low hazard conditions.
- Advantages of one system relative to the others, including cost.
- Current research and development of new systems or system refinements worldwide.
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Speaker(s): Tom Hepler
Revision ID: 2310
Revision Date: 08/19/2022