Hydraulic Structure I CH-3 Arch and Buttress Dam

  Buttress
3. Arch and    
Dams  

3.1 Arch  Dams 

Arch  dam  is  a  concrete  dam  with  a considerable    
upstream  
curvature,  
structurally  
resisting   imposed
the     by  
forces
                 
arch and cantilever action. Arch dam transmits the major portion of the water load to the abutments orvalley                    
                                   
sides rather than to the floor of the valley, hence, large horizontal reactions are required by the
  
abutments.
                             
Arch dams  are  restricted  to relatively     narrow
    valley   sections
  with
  strong  abutments.
      Arch dams   are  
structurally more efficient than the gravity or buttress dam, greatly reducing the volume of concrete required.
                                     
The arch     dam offer
  great
  economies
      in volume
  of concrete.
      In the case   of a slender
  double
  curvature,
  the
   
saving   in volume   may  exceed  80% of that  necessary   for an  equivalent gravity profile. Associated savings may
also be realized in foundation excavation and preparation.
       
3.1.1  Type   of  Arch   dams            
Arch dams may be classified   in  to the   following types:
9 Single‐curvature arch dams  
     
9 Double –curvature     arch dams
9 Arch‐gravity dams
       
 
3.1.1.1  
Single  
Curvature   arch dams
A. Constant radius profile     
                       
The  constant‐radius
     
profile  
has the simplest   geometry,  combining    a vertical   upstream   face  of constant   radius    
                                   
with a uniform radial downstream slope. The downstream face radius therefore varies with elevation. The
                                     
profile is shown schematically in Figure below, and it is apparent that the central angle, 2θ, reaches a
                         
maximum at crest level. A constant‐radius profile is not the most economical in volume, but has the merit of
analytical and constructional simplicity. The profile is suited to relatively symmetrical U‐shaped valleys.

 
           
 
       
                                           
Figure
  3‐1:  Constant
    radius
   arch dam
                                    
                               
B. Constant
  angle profile
It is a special type of variable radius arch dam in which the central angle of the arch rings at various elevations is
constant, but the radii do vary. The central of the arch rings at all elevations from top of the dam to its base has
the same magnitude. The profile is best suited to narrow and relatively symmetrical steep‐sided V‐shaped
valleys.

          1
Lecture Note
 Hydraulic Structure I     CH-3         Arch  and Buttress
  Dam  

 
 
Figure  3‐2:   Constant angle  arch  dam  

3.1.1.2 Double curvature  arch  dams  (Cupola   profile)

 
It  has   a   curvature  in  the  horizontal as
  well
    vertical
as    
planes  
(curved  
both in  plan
    in  elevation).
and   It  has
   
                   
smaller thickness as compared to other types and hence is more economical.    
 

 
 Figure 3‐3: double curvature arch dam
            
3.1.2 Forces
 
The forces acting on arch dam are the same as that of gravity dams. Uplift forces are less important (not
                                       
significant) as the base width is very small. Internal stresses caused by temperature changes and yielding
                                 
of abutments  are
  very
  important.  Foundation  stresses  are  generally  small. 
3.1.3 Methods  for design of Arch  dams 
The  following  methods  are  commonly  used for
  the
  design
  and
  analysis
  of
  arch
  dams
   
9 Thin cylinder theory;  
9 Thick  cylinder  theory; 

Lecture Note           2
 Hydraulic Structure I        
CH-3      Arch and Buttress
  Dam 

9 Elastic arch theory; 
9 Trial load analysis; 
9 Shell theory; and  
9 Finite element method  
Here only thin cylinder theory and thick cylinder theory design methods are discussed. 

3.1.3.1 Thin cylinder theory 
It  is  assumed  that  the  horizontal  section  of  the  arch  dam  is  a  part  of  thin  cylinder  of  the  same  radius.  The 
pressure  acting  on  the  arch  ring  is  equal  to  hydrostatic  pressure  at  the  corresponding  elevation.  It  is  again 
assumed  that  the  entire  water  load  is  carried  by  the  arch  action  and  the  cantilever  action  is  absent.  As  the 
cylinder is thin, there is no variation of stress across the thickness of the cylinder. 
  
The ring shown in figure below is subjected to hydrostatic pressure (P). If the arch ring is at a depth (h) below 
the water surface in the reservoir, the intensity of pressure P is equal to γH where, γ is unit weight of water. 
The total pressure (Ph) acting on the entire arch ring per unit height = Intensity of pressure * Projected area 
normal to the direction of Ph.  
 
PH = P * (2 * re * sin θ / 2) ;        PH = γ w * h * (2 * re * sin θ / 2) ⇒ PH = 2 * γ w * h * re * sin θ / 2      
The pressure force Ph acts in the d/s direction along the axis of symmetry of the arch ring and resisted by the 
reactions at the abutments. If R is the  reaction at each abutment, its component in  the  u/s direction which 
resists Ph is equal to (Rsinθ/2).  

θ 

2*re*sinθ/2  
 
Figure 3‐4:  Arch dam section 
 
From equilibrium in u/s direction:  2 * γ w * h * re * sin θ / 2 = R * sin θ / 2 ⇒ R = γ w * h * re  
The arch is subjected to a constant trust of R. If ‘f’ is the compressive stress developed in the arch ring, 
f=R/ (t*1). Substituting for the value of R;  
γ w * h * re
 f =  
t
For safe design of the arch ring, the compressive stress (f) should not exceed the allowable stress (fa) in 
compression for the material of the arch ring. Thus; 
γ w * h * re γ w * h * re
fa = ⇒t =  
t fa
γ * h * (r + 0.5t ) γ w *h*r
As  re = r + 0.5t , then  t = w  or  t =  
fa f a − 0.5 * γ w * h
γ * h * ri
Also as  re = ri + t , then  t = w  
fa − γ w * h

Lecture Note           3
 Hydraulic Structure I        
CH-3       and Buttress
Arch   Dam  

As  an  arch  dam  is  never  a  complete cylinder,

  the
  stresses
  and
  dimensions
  computed
  by  the
  thin
  cylinder
   
theory  is  quite approximate.
    
  
Most Economical  Central  angle   of
  an  Arch
  dam
 
The  thin   cylinder  theory  can  be  used to  compute
    most
the    
economical  
central  
angle of  an  arch
  dam  for   
               
which angle; the volume of concrete required is minimum.   

 
For the figure shown above, the volume of concrete per unit height is given by: 
  V = re * θ * (t * 1)  
Where: θ= the angle in radians 
         t= thickness of the arch ring 
         re= radius of the extrados ring 
⎛ γ w * h * re ⎞ γ w * h * re2 * θ
Substituting the value of t:  V = re * θ * ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ =  
⎝ f a ⎠ fa
Le is the span of the arch ring:  Le = 2 * re * sin θ / 2  
γ w * h *θ ⎛
2
Le ⎞
Then  V = ⎜ ⎟  
fa ⎝ 2 sin θ / 2 ⎠
θ
⇒V = k  where K is a constant given by:  k = 0.25 * γ w * h * L2e / f a  
sin θ / 2
2
 
For  minimum  volume of concrete:  dv/dθ=0, hence
  θ= 133
  0 34’   most economical angle:
For
0 '
Le =  2 *   er * sin(133
  34 /  2) and re=0.544*Le In actual  arch dam design,  the central angle is usually
  of  100   to 1400 .  
in the range 0
                      
 
Example‐1:  Design  a  constant  radius  arch dam  for  a  valley 50m  wide  at  the base
    80m
and   wide
  at  the
  height
  of   
50m from the base. Take the height of the dam as 50m, Allowable stress in concrete 5MPa, and unit weight of   
                                     
water  10KN/m3 and  assume 1.5m
   
thickness   the
at   top
  and   central
    140
angle   0.   

Lecture Note           4
 Hydraulic Structure I       CH-3
          Buttress Dam
Arch and  

 
Solution:  the  minimum  volume  of   concrete  for  the whole    
arch  
dam  
with a  constant
   
radius is  obtained
  by   
                           
keeping the angle θ at the top quite large so that the best average angle is obtained for the entire dam.           
 
The  intrados  radius  (ri)  at  the top
  is  given
      ri*sin  (1400/2) =80/2=40m
by:   →ri=  42.57m,  say  42.50mThe  
extrados radius (re) =42.5+1.5= 44.00m. The extrados radius of all arches will be kept as 44m.  The  
                               
                        
calculations for the thickness at various elevations are given in table below.
 
Depth  of  arch  from  Pressure 
water  surface  (h)  Span  Radius  P=γw*h  Thickness  
(m)   (Li) (m)  (re) (m)  (KN/m2)  t=P*re/fa (m)  ri (m)  
0  80  44  0  0 (1.5m nominal)  42.5 
0.88  (1.5m 
10  74  44  100  nominal)  42.5 
20  68  44  200  1.76  42.24 
30  62  44  300  2.64  41.36 
40  56  44  400  3.52  40.48 
50  50  44  500  4.4  39.6 
 
Example‐2: ‐ Design  a  100m  high  constant  angle  arch  dam  by  thin  cylinder  theory for a  valley  40m wide at  the  
base  and  240m wide
    a  height
at     100m.
of    
Take   =  5MPa
fa     θ  =  133
and   044’  
Solution 
γ w * h * ri
Taking; ri = 0.544*B ;     t = ,    re = ri + t 
fa − γ w * h
 
Depth 
of  arch 
from 
water  Pressure 
γ w * h * ri
surface  Span  P=γw*h  t=  
(h) (m)  (Li) (m)  ri=0.544*B  (KN/m2) P*ri  fa –p  f a − γ w * h re=ri+t 
0  (1.5m 
0  240  130.56  0  0  5000  nominal)  132.06 
10  220  119.68  100  11968  4900  2.44  122.12 
Lecture Note           5
 Hydraulic Structure I        
CH-3      Arch and Buttress
  Dam 

20  200  108.8  200  21760  4800  4.53  113.33 

30  180  97.92  300  29376  4700  6.25  104.17 
40  160  87.04  400  34816  4600  7.57  94.61 
50  140  76.16  500  38080  4500  8.46  84.62 
60  120  65.28  600  39168  4400  8.9  74.18 
70  100  54.4  700  38080  4300  8.86  63.26 
80  80  43.52  800  34816  4200  8.29  51.81 
90  60  32.64  900  29376  4100  7.16  39.8 
100  40  21.76  1000  21760  4000  5.44  27.2 
 
Exercise:  Design  a  50m  high  constant  angle  arch  dam  by thin  cylinder theory  for  a  valley  30m  wide  at the
  base
   
and  150m  wide  at  a height
    50m.
of    
Take  
fa=5MPa  and unit
   
weight   water
of    
10KN/m 3   assume
and     central
the    
  0                     
angle 133 34’ and minimum thickness of 1.50m is provided at the top of the dam.         
3.1.3.2 Thick cylinder theory
     
The figure below shows thick arch subjected to an external pressure, Pe. The radial and circumferential
                                
compressive  stresses at
  a  point
  at  a  radius
  r  are
  given
  by:
   
Radial  Stress,  σ r = b − a   and  circumferential  stress,  σ t = b + a ,  where  a  and  b  are  constants  given 
r2 r2
− p e re2 re2 .ri 2 (− p e )
by:  a =  and  b =  
re2 − ri 2 re2 − ri 2

 
Figure 3‐5: Thick Arch dam 
p e .re2 ⎛ ri 2 ⎞ − p .r 2 ⎛ ri 2 ⎞
Substituting the values of a and b, then  σ r = ⎜⎜1 − 2 ⎟⎟  and  σ t = 2 e e2 ⎜⎜1 + 2 ⎟⎟  
re2 − ri 2 ⎝ re ⎠ re − ri ⎝ re ⎠
The minus sign indicates that the stress is in compressive.  
p e .(re2 + ri 2 )
At the extrados, r=re and the circumferential stress is given by:  σ te =  
re2 − ri 2
2. pe .re2
The circumferential stress at the intrados is given by:   σ ti =  
re2 − ri 2
The maximum compressive stress occurs at the intrados, taking  σ ti = allowable stress=fa. 
2. p.re2 2. p.re2 2. p.re2 ⎛ 2p ⎞  
fa = 2 = = , solving;  t = re ⎜1 − 1 −
re − ri 2
(re + ri ).t (2re − t ).t ⎝ f a ⎟⎠
 
 
 
 
 
Lecture notes, Hydraulic Structures‐I, 2010  6
 Hydraulic Structure I    
CH-3        Arch and
  Buttress  Dam  

Example‐3: For the example‐1 above, determine the thickness of the dam by thick cylinder theory.  
 
 
Depth of arch  Pressure  t = r ⎛1 − 1 − 2 p ⎞
from  water  e⎜ f a ⎟⎠
,  P=γw*h  ⎝
surface  (h)  Span  (Li)  Radius  (KN/m2 
(m)   (m)  (re) (m)  m  ri (m)  
0  80  44  0  0 (1.5 nominal)  42.5 
10  74  44  100  0.89 (1.5 nominal)  42.5 
20  68  44  200  1.80  42.24 
30  62  44  300  2.72  41.36 
40  56  44  400  3.67  40.48 
50  50  44  500  4.65  39.6 
 

3.2 Buttress  dams 

A  buttress  dam  consists  of  a  slopping  u/s membrane
   
which  
transmits   water
the     to  a series
load     of  buttress
  at    
right  angle   to   the  axis   of   the  dam.  The  principal  structural elements
    a  buttress
of   dam  are  the  water
   
                         
supporting u/s deck and the buttresses that in turn support the deck. The buttresses are carefully spaced,        
                                 
triangular walls proportional to transmit the water load and the weight of the structure to the foundation.Buttress
                             
dams are adaptable to both overflow and non‐overflow conditions. In overflow dams a downstreamdeck is
               
provided
  to guide the flowing stream.

 
Figure  3‐6:   Typical  section  and  plan  view  of  a  buttress  dam  
 
Relative  to  gravity  dam,  buttress dam     the
has   advantages
  of  saving
  in  concrete,
   
major  
reduction in  uplift
  and    
also  offers   greater   ability   to   accommodate  foundation deformation    
without  
damage.  
However,  
the  
                 
advantages offset by considerably higher finished unit costs as a result of more extensive & non repetitive               
                       
formwork required. It also requires more competent foundation because of stress concentration.
 
Advantages of buttress dams
       
1. less concrete  used compared
  to
  a  gravity
  dam
  of  the   same  height,
    
9 Increased  surface  area to     volume ratio
   
9 Better  heat dissipation
   
9 Increased  speed of     construction  
2. More   safety  against  overturning and   sliding
   because of   the   larger
  vertical
  component
  of  hydrostatic
   
force  exerted on  the
  dam   (highly
   inclined
  u/s
  face)
   
3. More  equal  distribution of   stresses
  of  foundation.
   
4. Less  massive  than gravity  dam  hence  may  be used     weak
on    
foundation   suitable
not   for  gravity
   
dam  
               
5. Decreased uplift pressure ( if no spread footing, joining the buttresses is used)          
Disadvantages  of  Buttress  dam 
1. needs  reinforcement and   expensive
   
shuttering  
        
2. needs more skilled labor
Lecture Note           7
 Hydraulic Structure I     CH-3         Arch  and Buttress
  Dam  

3. slabs and  columns  are highly

   stressed  
4. danger of deterioration of concrete of  the
          u/s
  deck
   
         
5. more susceptible to damage by sabotage  
  

3.2.1 Forces  on  buttress  dams 

                                   
Essentially buttress dams are subjected to the same as gravity dams. Uplift forces may be insignificant as in
                                   
the case of arch dams. Wind force on buttress faces may be considerable when high velocity winds blow
                     
 diagonally from the downstream side, hence struts (beams) are usually provided.
3.2.2 Design Principle forButtress Dams
The stability analysis   for  buttresses
    done  in a similar fashion as is done for a gravity dam. However, the
is
design   element   is not  taken   to be a slice    of unit  thickness     as  in gravity    dams,     the
but   full
  panel   is considered.
     
In
addition to satisfying the stability criteria the buttresses are designed to conform to the design rules for    
                                         
structural  concrete   
members.                            
     
 
The buttress width is determined by considering the buttress to be a vertical cantilever beam. The width hasto
                                   
be sufficient to avoid tension at the upstream face when fully loaded and also to avoid excessive
                                   
compression  at  the downstream   face.
  In  order
  to  determine
  the  thickness  of  the  buttress   required
  to prevent
     
buckling  they  are  considered  to be   bearing
  walls
  instead
  of  beams.
  The
  minimum
  allowable
  thickness
  is  sameas
   
that  for columns.
    The   unsupported
  length   is generally
    reduced
  by providing
    struts  at intermediate
    points.    
 
Simple  slab  (Ambersen  type)  buttress  dams 
The  slab  is  simply  supported  and  the joint    
between   slab
the   and   buttresses
  is  filled
  with   asphalt
    or  any 
putty  
 
flexible compound.  
The  slab  is  designed  by  assuming   that  it  consists  of  a  series of   parallel
   
beams  
acting  
independently of  one
   
     
another and simply supported on the buttresses.        
 

 
Spacing  of  the buttress is
   governed by:    
i. length  of  the  dam  
ii. pressure  of  spread footing
    a  continuous
or    
floor  
slap  
iii.            
presence of spillway over the damslope of the upstream
iv. water  supporting
     
membrane(slab)      
v.        
Unusual foundation or side hill condition.    
 
For  high  dams  greater   spacing   may   be  economical.  Wider  spacing  may  entail  increased thickness
   
and  
                               
reinforcement of slabs. The spacing that will give the most economical balance of concrete steel and
                     
formwork area is determined by the total cost of the items.
 
Mean height  Economical buttress spacing (distance b/n CL) 
15 to 30  4.5 to 6.0 
30 to 45  9.0 to 12.0 
Above 45  12.0 to 12 
Lecture Note           8
 Hydraulic Structure I   CH-3
         
Arch and  Buttress Dam
   

 
The  buttress  is  designed  as  a system
    columns
of    
each  
carrying   load
the   by
  column
   
action to  the
  foundation.
   
                       
These columns are proportioned to develop a uniform compressive stress and curved to avoid any serious        
eccentricity  on  any  horizontal  or normal
   
plane  
when   water
the     concrete
and     are  resolved.
loads    
 

Lecture Note           9