Concrete Gravity Dam

What is a Concrete Gravity Dam?

A Concrete Gravity Dam is also known as “Gravity Arch Dam,” and is a freshwater-retaining concrete structure that has a wider footing (base) than the top-section. The purpose of a Concrete Gravity Dam is to maintain a low center of gravity, in order to avoid collapsing in the event of an abutment seal failure. In fact, a Gravity Arch Dam that is properly placed atop geologically stable formations is the safest type of dam. The other types of dams are Embankment Dams, Concrete Arch Dams, and Concrete Slab & Buttress Dams. Concrete Gravity Dams also require the most material for construction. Thus, there is usually a large portion of nearby rock fragments in the cement as aggregate.

Similar Posts

  • Phaneritic

    ByGeo Forward

    Phaneritic Definition In geology, the term Phaneritic applies to the texture of an igneous rock. A phaneritic plutonic rock has grains that are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. In fact, this indicates there was a slower rate of magmatic cooling.

  • Porosity (n)

    ByGeo Forward

    Porosity (n) “Porosity” (n), in the geological engineering field, is a percentage value that represents the bulk volume of a rock or soil, that is occupied by the void space within. Porosity (n) Formula Porosity (n) = [(Volume of Voids รท Total Volume) x 100%]

  • Natural Gas

    ByGeo Forward

    Natural Gas Natural Gas: In geology, natural gas means combustible hydrocarbon gas that forms by natural geological or biological processes. To illustrate, natural gas that forms by geological processes is the thermal decomposition of buried organic materials. Whereas natural gas that forms via biological processes entail the microbial decomposition of buried organic material. Natural gas…

  • Epicenter

    ByGeo Forward

    Epicenter Epicenter: In the seismology branch of geology, an epicenter of an earthquake is the point on Earth’s surface that is directly above the focus (or hypocenter). It is the ground surface location overlying where an earthquake rupture originates within a dip-slip fault or strike-slip fault. Shortly after an earthquake, United States Geological Survey (USGS)…

  • Design Methane Pressure (Soil Formation Pressure)

    ByGeo Forward

    Design Methane Pressure (Soil Formation Pressure) Design Methane Pressure or Soil Formation Pressure: As per the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) Methane Code, Ordinance Number 175790, Design Methane Pressure means the highest observed measurement of soil formation pressure during the methane testing process. In fact, a Design Methane Pressure measurement that is…