Design and Construction of Earth Dams

In Design and Construction of Earth Dams , you'll learn ...

• Earth dam foundation and abutment preparation requirements
• Design considerations, including freeboard, top width, abutments, earthquake effects and performance parameters
• Methods of seepage control
• Embankment materials, zoning, cracking and reinforcement, as well as compaction requirements

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 6 PDH

Length: 103 pages

This course presents fundamental principles underlying the design and construction of earth and rock-fill dams. The general principles presented herein are also applicable to the design and construction of earth levees. The objective of this course is to present guidance on the design, construction, and performance monitoring of and modifications to embankment dams. The design and construction of earth and rock-fill dams are complex because of the nature of the varying foundation conditions and range of properties of the materials available for use in the embankment.

The increased development and expansion of the population in the nation’s watersheds have created a definite need to develop additional water supply. In many areas the existing infrastructure cannot meet these needs. The increase in urban development has also had a negative impact on water quality. The public is asking that preservation of the environment be an equal goal with the economic benefits of water resources projects. Since the current infrastructure is not meeting public needs, this situation is placing lives, livelihood, and property at risk. Several options are available to provide the additional quantity of water. The simplest and most cost-effective method to obtain the quantities needed is to add additional storage at existing dams.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain spillway and outlet capacity considerations.
• Describe freeboard.
• Explain the design of a homogeneous dam with internal drainage on an impervious foundation.
• Describe a central core dam on an impervious foundation.
• Explain an inclined core dam on an impervious foundation.
• Describe a homogeneous dam with internal drainage on a pervious foundation.
• Explain a central core dam on a pervious foundation.
• Describe a dam with an upstream impervious zone on a pervious foundation.
• Explain foundation design for earth dams.
• Describe through-rock abutment design.
• Explain the use of saddle dams.
• Describe an auxiliary spillway.
• Explain methods for dewatering the work area.
• Describe seepage control measures.
• Explain embankment zonation.
• Describe cutoff methods.
• Explain the use of horizontal drains.
• Describe slurry trenches.
• Explain the use of an upstream impervious blanket.
• Describe the function of relief wells.
• Explain the use of a downstream seepage berm.
• Describe drainage galleries.
• Explain through-earth abutment design.

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 30 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.