Hydraulic Structures CVLE 538 Spring 2018

Assignment # 4
Due on May 3rd, 2018
Gravity Dams

1. Check the stability at the base of the concrete gravity dam shown in Fig. 1. Assume any missing data.

Fig. 1

2. The cross-section of a low gravity dam is given in Fig. 2. Assuming that the reservoir is to be full,
determine: (1) normal stress at the base, (2) factor of safety against sliding, (3) shear friction factor at the
base. Full uplift is to be accounted according to the U.S.B.R. recommendations. Neglect earthquake
pressure, wave pressure and silt pressure.

Fig. 2
Hydraulic Structures CVLE 538 Spring 2018
3. A concrete dam section is shown in Fig. 3, Check the stability of the section and determine the factor of
safety against sliding, shear friction factor, factor of safety against overturning and the normal stresses at
the base of the dam. Analysis of the dam section is to be carried out under the following conditions:
a. Construction condition.
b. Normal operating condition with earthquake, ice and silt (of depth 28 m and unit weight of 2 t/m3,
 = 30) pressures.

Given that the unit weight of concrete = 2.4 t/m3 and the shear for concrete joints = 14 kg/cm2.