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The hidden design of earth-rock dams: Why choose natural materials to build dams?
As a large-scale artificial dam, earth-rock dam is mainly composed of various soil or rock impurities, and is a complex semi-plastic accumulation formed after compaction. These dams have a semi-permeable natural surface, combined with a dense, impermeable core, making the dam highly resistant to surface or seepage erosion. This kind of dam is mainly composed of independent fragments of material, which are bound into a stable mass through friction and interaction between them.
"This kind of dam built with natural materials has good bonding strength and adaptability, and is the first choice of many engineers."
Types of earth-rock dams
According to different materials, earth-rock dams can be divided into two types: earth dams and stone dams. Earthen dams, also known as earth dams or earthen dams, are composed primarily of compacted soil, while stone dams are composed of gravel fill material. Both types of dams are structurally similar to embankments or hills.
Soil filling dam
Soil fill dam is a simple earth embankment built with pressure-resistant soil as the base material. Its design can be of a single material (homogeneous dam) or composed of different materials (stratified dam). Modern homogeneous dams are usually equipped with a drainage layer to collect seepage water and ensure the stability of the dam body. One of the most famous earth dams is Pakistan's Tarbela Dam, the world's largest earth-fill dam, capable of holding 2 million cubic meters of fill material.
“Earth dams constructed from local materials are not only economical but also ensure structural stability.”
Stone filling dam
Stone fill dams are filled with compacted free-draining particles and have an internal impermeable layer. The core of this type of dam usually consists of clay or asphalt concrete to ensure its impermeability. Not only do these stone-fill dams perform well during earthquakes, but because they use local materials, they are more cost-effective than traditional concrete dams.
Concrete face rock filling dam
Concrete Faced Rock Fill Dam (CFRD) is a stone fill dam design in which concrete slabs are placed on the upstream face, effectively preventing leakage. This design not only speeds up construction but also makes it more economically competitive. The rise of CFRD in the past few decades has come from different design innovations, and today there are many successful practice cases around the world, such as China's Shuizhenxia Dam, which has become one of the tallest dams of its type.
"CFRD's flexibility and cost-reducing advantages make this design more and more popular."
Security considerations
When constructing dams and water storage projects, the weight on the bottom and sides must be considered as they need to withstand changing water pressure. When designing seepage drainage and spillways, it is of great significance to prevent dam failure. Effective seepage monitoring and regular inspections are important factors in protecting the stability of these earth-rock dams.
"A small overflow can destroy the stability of the dam in just a few hours."
Conclusion
Selecting natural materials to build earth-rock dams not only considers economic benefits and sustainability of resource sources, but is also widely favored for its structural stability and earthquake resistance. With the advancement of science and technology in the future, what breakthroughs will come in the construction of this type of dam?
