What Is Earthen Dam?
Important Point
The dam which is constructed fulfilled by the earth is known as the earthen dam. The earthen dam is constructed by different layers of soil. The layers of the soil of the earthen dam are then compacted by sheep’s foot rollers, tamping rollers, heavy pneumatic tired rollers, earth-hauling equipment, or vibratory rollers.
The earthen dam is constructed as a barrier that resists water or underground streams. These earthen dams are constructed not only for protection from floods, but also provides water for various needs to include human consumption, irrigation, industrial use, navigability, and aquaculture.
The earthen dam is constructed nearly trapezoidal or trapezoidal cross-section. There are many sizes of earthen dams is constructed. But the size of the dams depends on the requirements.
As for the high earthen dam, the height of the dam is greater than 100 m. As for the medium earthen dam, the height of the dam is lies between 50 m to 100 m. And for the small earthen dam, the height of the dam is lower than 50 m.
Also, Read: How Are Bridges Built | How Are Bridges Constructed | Factors Associated with Building Bridges
Types of Earthen Dam
The earthen dam classifying three types that’s are below –
- Homogeneous Embankment Earthen Dam.
- Zone embankment Earthen Dam.
- Diaphragm Earthen Dam.
1. Homogeneous Embankment Type Earthen Dam
This type of earthen dam is very economical and simple. Because the earthen dam consists of a single material. And this type of earthen dam is also throughout homogeneous.
On the upstream face of the earthen dam sometimes, a blanket of moderately watertight material may be placed. In an earthen dam when just one material is economically or locally available then a simply homogeneous section is used.
2. Zone Type Earthen Dam
The zone-type earthen dams are widely constructed. The material used for the zone-type earthen dam is depending upon their availabilities.
If it shrinks and swells too much, may not make the best core with the clay, despite it being highly impervious. Because of this, sometimes the clay is mixed with fine sand or fine gravel to make an impervious layer for the dam.
As the satisfactory central core materials sometimes silts or silty clays may be used. On the outer shell for freely draining the materials, such as coarse sands and gravels are generally used.
Between the outer and inner zone of the earthen dam, transition filters are provided. From one zone to the other, where the abrupt change of permeability on there the transition filters are always provided.
3. Diaphragm Earthen Dam
The diaphragm earthen dam is surrounded by earth or rocks thin impervious core. This impervious core is made of concrete, impervious oils, timber, steel, or any other material.
To prevent seepage through the dam the impervious core act as a barrier. The diaphragm earthen dam is placed either at the upstream face as a layer or the center as a central vertical core.
To avoid excessive under-seepage through the existing previous foundations in the diaphragm embankment must also be tied to the bedrock or very impervious foundation material.
On depending the thickness of the core the diaphragm embankments are differentiated from zoned embankments.
Also, Read: What Is Bridge Abutment | 5 Types of Abutments
Failure of Earthen Dam
The earthen dam is less rigid so it has more chance of failure. The classification of the earthen dam is below-
- Hydraulic Failures.
- Seepage Failures.
- Structural Failures.
1. Hydraulic Failures
The hydraulic failure occurs for the below reasons.
1.1. By Overtopping
if the spillway gates are not properly operated or if the design flood is underestimated then the water may overtop the dam.
1.2. Erosion of Upstream Face
sometimes, cause the slip of the upstream slope and try to notch out the soil from the upstream face and may even due to the winds the waves developed near the topwater surface.
1.3. Cracking Due to Frost Action
The soil with dangerous seepage and consequent, the failure of the dam may cause frost in the upper portion.
Also Read: Types of Spillways
2. Seepage Failures
The seepage failure occurs for the below reasons.
- Ordinarily, it does not produce any harm by the Controlled seepage or limited uniform seepage is inevitable in all earth dams.
- The subsequent failure of the dam uncontrolled or concentrate seepage through the dam body or its foundation may lead to piping or coughing.
3. Structural Failures
Causing slides the Structural failures are generally caused by shear failures. The structural failure occurs for the below reasons.
- The entire dam may slide over the foundation When the foundation of the earth dams are made of, such as fine silt, soft clay, soft soils, etc.
Methods of Construction of Earth Dam
- The method of an earthen dam constructed fulfilled by the earth is known as the earthen dam.
- The earthen dam is constructed by different layers of soil.
- The layers of the soil of the earthen dam are then compacted by sheep’s foot rollers, tamping rollers, heavy pneumatic tired rollers, earth-hauling equipment, or vibratory rollers.
- The earthen dam is constructed as a barrier that resists water or underground streams.
- These earthen dams are constructed not only for protection from floods, but also provides water for various needs to include human consumption, irrigation, industrial use, navigability, and aquaculture
- The earthen dam is constructed nearly trapezoidal or trapezoidal cross-section.
- There are many sizes of earthen dams is constructed. But the size of the dams depends on the requirements.
- As for the high earthen dam, the height of the dam is greater than 100m.
- As for the medium earthen dam, the height of the dam is lies between 50m to 100m.
- And for the small earthen dam, the height of the dam is lower than 50m.
Also, Read: Flyover Design | Flyover Construction | Types of Flyover | What Is Flyover
Application of Earthen Dam
There have been many applications of the earthen dam that’s are below.
- The earthen dam is constructed to apply as a barrier that resists water or underground streams.
- These earthen dams are constructed not only for protection from floods, but also applied to for provides water for various needs to include human consumption, irrigation, industrial use, navigability, and aquaculture.
- When we need to make an economical structure then we need to apply the earthen dam because In an earthen dam just one material is economically or locally available then a simply homogeneous section is applied.
- In the earthen dam the hydropower is applied to generate the electricity.
- For structural reasons, earth dams are suited to the sites where a masonry dam cannot be applied.
- The earthen dam is applied to either stop or slow the amount of water in a river.
Advantage of Earthen Dam
- The advantage of the earthen dam is the material of the earthen dam like soil can easily available.
- Another advantage of the earthen dam that’s is can easily handle by the hands.
- For structural reasons, earth dams are suited to the sites where a masonry dam cannot be used.
- Another advantage of the earthen dam is it is a lesser cost than normal masonry walls.
- The advantage of the earthen dam is it can slow or stop the amount of water in a river.
Disadvantage of Earthen Dam
- The disadvantages of the earthen dam are the non-availability of the materials at the dams site.
- Another disadvantage of the earthen dam is as compared to a good concrete dam it has a greater maintenance cost.
- For spillways, the earthen dam is none suitable, this is an important disadvantage of an earthen dam.
- The disadvantages of the earthen dam are it is a none rigid material so it can destroy easily when more stress develops on the dam.
Also, Read: Difference Between Pier and Abutment | What Is Pier | What Is Abutment
Uses of Earthen Dam
There have been many uses of the earthen dam that’s are below.
- The earthen dam is constructed to use as a barrier that resists water or underground streams.
- These earthen dams are constructed not only for protection from floods, but also used for provides water for various needs to include human consumption, irrigation, industrial use, navigability, and aquaculture.
- When we need to make an economical structure then we used the earthen dam because In an earthen dam just one material is economically or locally available then a simply homogeneous section is used.
- For structural reasons, earth dams are suited to the sites where a masonry dam cannot be used.
- To either stop or slow the amount of water in a river the earthen dam is used.
- The earthen dam is a good choice for sites with wide valleys.
- In the earthen dam, by using hydropower is often used in conjunction with dams to generate electricity.
Also, Read: Difference Between Pier and Pile | What Is Pier | What Is Pile
Earthen Dam
An earthen dam is a dam in which a large embankment is built across the river with a central impermeable layer, catchments are possible to accumulate most of the soil, foothills, or elsewhere. This dams are constructed from earthen materials such as gravel sand, silt, and clay.
Types of Earthen Dam
The earthen dam can be of the following three types: 1. Homogeneous Embankment type 2. Zone embankment type 3. Diaphragm type.
- Homogeneous Embankment type
- Zone embankment type
- Diaphragm type.
Failure of Earthen Dam
Earthen dams may fail, like other engineering structures, due to improper designs, faulty constructions, lack of maintenance, etc. The water may overtop the dam, if the design flood is underestimated or if the spillway is of insufficient capacity or if the spillway gates are not properly operated.
Methods of Construction of Earth Dam
Methods of Construction.
- Hydraulic-fill Method: In this method of construction, the dam body is constructed by excavating and transporting soils by using water. Pipes called flumes, are laid along the outer edge of the embankment. The soil materials are mixed with water and pumped into these flumes. The slush is discharged through the outlets in the flumes at suitable intervals along their lengths.
- Rolled-fill Method: The embankment is constructed by placing suitable soil materials in thin layers (15 to 30 cm) and compacting them with rollers. The soil is brought to the site from burrow pits and spread by bulldozers, etc. In layers. These layers are thoroughly compacted by rollers of designed weights.
Also, Read: Cantilever Bridge | Cantilever Bridge Advantages and Disadvantages | Cantilever Bridge Facts
Advantages of Earthen Dam
- Availability of Earth Materials.
- Easy Handling of Earth.
- Foundation Condition.
- Cost of Construction.
Disadvantages of Earthen Dam
Excessive leakage and foundation erosion are more likely. Inadequate capacity of the spillway causes dam structure failure as there is potential for over-exploitation of the dam. Burrowing animals can damage the dam’s structure.
Application of Earthen Dam
- Generation of hydroelectricity .
- Irrigation.
- Control flooding.
- These are called detention dams, which are constructed to either stop or slow the amount of water in a river.
- These are often diversion dams, which stop a river’s natural course so that water can be sent off to a different place.
Uses of Earthen Dam
Dams are built for flood control, fire and farm ponds, power generation by hydroelectricity (about 10% of US power production), irrigation diversion, fish and waterfowl habitat, water reservoirs, livestock watering, habitat improvement, recreation, mine waste retention, mine tailings and navigation.
Earthen Dam Construction
earthfill dam, also called earth dam or embankment dam, dam built up by compacting successive layers of earth, using the most impervious materials to form a core and placing more permeable substances on the upstream and downstream sides.
Earth Dam Construction Process
The embankment is constructed by placing suitable soil materials in thin layers (15 to 30 cm) and compacting them with rollers. The soil is brought to the site from burrow pits and spread by bulldozers, etc. in layers. These layers are thoroughly compacted by rollers of designed weights.
Earthen Dam Failure
Failures of earthen embankment dams or dikes can generally be grouped into three classifications: hydraulic, seepage and structural. Hydraulic Failures. Hydraulic failures from the uncontrolled flow of water over and adjacent to the embankment are due to the erosive action of water on the embankment slopes.
The Most Commonly Used Type of Earthen Dam Is
Zoned Earth Dams
This is the most common type of a role fill dam in which a central impervious core is flank shells of previous material on the upstream and downstream of the dam.
What Is Earth Dam?
An earth dam, also known as an embankment dam, is a type of dam made primarily of soil, rock, or other natural materials. Earth dams are constructed by compacting layers of soil and other materials to create a strong, impermeable barrier to hold back water.
Earthen Dam in India
The Banasura Sagar Dam is the largest earthen dam in India located in Wayanad, Kerala. It was built on the Kabini River and features a sub-merged Shola forest. It has been built to supply water for irrigation and hydroelectric power production. The dam is also a tourist attraction due to its natural beauty.
Earthern Dam
Earth dams are usually built in a triangular shape, with the widest part of the base facing the water to be held back. The dam is built up layer by layer, with each layer compacted and leveled to create a stable foundation. The top of the dam is often reinforced with a layer of concrete or other materials to prevent erosion.
The Most Commonly Used Type of Earthen Dam
This is the simplest type of earth dam. It is constructed using a single material (same type of soil) and hence can be considered to be homogeneous throughout. To aid water tightness and stability, a blanket of relatively impervious material may be placed on the upstream face.
Earthen Dams Are Usually Not Provided for Heights More Than
Explanation: For the height of the dam up to 4.5 m, the maximum freeboard is 1.2 to 1.5 m and for the height range 4.5 to 7.5 m, the maximum freeboard is 1.5 to 1.8 m.
Define Earthen Dam
An earthen dam, also known as an embankment dam, is a type of dam made primarily of soil, rock, or other natural materials. It is a barrier constructed by compacting layers of earth, such as clay, sand, gravel, and rock, to hold back water and create a reservoir.
Most Commonly Used Type of Earthen Dam Is
Water jets are used to move the fine material from the face of the dam towards the center. Out of these three types of dams, rolled fill type dams are most commonly adopted. Because in the case of other two types, lack of control in placing the material may result in the failure of dams.
Earthen Dams Are Which Type of Dam
Embankment dams come in two types: the earth-filled dam (also called an earthen dam or terrain dam) made of compacted earth, and the rock-filled dam. A cross-section of an embankment dam shows a shape like a bank, or hill.
The Most Commonly Used Type of Earth Dam Is
The most popular type of rockfill dams used for the moment is the concrete face rockfill dam (CFRD). CFRDs are constructed of permeable rockfill, the impermeable membrane being a concrete slab constructed on the upstream face of the dam wall (Figure 15).
Like this post? Share it with your friends!
Suggested Read –
- Dam Types
- Force Acting on Dam
- Top 10 Cement Companies in USA
- Top 10 Best Cement Companies In India 2021
- Top 10 Bathroom Fittings & Sanitary Brands India
- What Is Grouting | Types of Grouting | Advantage of Grouting
- What Does Parapet Mean | Types of Parapet Wall | Uses of Parapet Wall
- Cinder Block Vs Concrete Block | What Is Cinder Blocks | What Is Concrete Blocks
Leave a Reply