Dams are structures built for the purpose of impounding water.

The dam is subjected to hydrostatic forces due to water which is raised on its upstream side. These
forces causes the dam to slide horizontally on its foundation and overturn it about its downstream edge
or toe. These tendencies are resisted by friction on the base of the dam and gravitational forces which
causes a moment opposite to the overturning moment. The dam may also be prevented from sliding by
keying its base.

Purpose of Dam
a. Water supply
b. Irrigation
c. Power supply

Analysis of Gravity Dam

Upstream Side

Downstream Side
Tailwater, TW

Headwater, HW

x4
W4

Vertical
Projection
of the
submerged
face of dam

W1

x1
W2

x2

W3
x3

P
y
1m

Rx

Heel

Toe

Uplift Pressure Diagram

z1
U1
U2

z2

Ry

Steps of Solution
I. Consider 1m length of dam (perpendicular to the sketch)
II. Determine all the forces acting:
A. Vertical forces
1. Weight of the dam
1 = 1
2 = 2
3 = 3
2. Weight of the water
4 = 4
3. Weight or permanent structures on the dam
4. Hydrostatic uplift
1 = 1
2 = 2

B. Horizontal Force
1. Total Hydrostatic Force acting at the vertical projection of the submerged portion of
the dam,
=
2. Wind pressure
3. Wave Action
4. Floating Bodies
5. Earthquake Load

III.

Solve for the reaction

A. Vertical reaction, Ry
=

= 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 1 2
B. Horizontal Reaction, Rx
=

=
IV.

Moment about the Toe

a. Righting Moment, RM (rotation towards the upstream side)
= 1 1 + 2 2 + 3 3 + 4 4
b. Overturning Moment, OM (rotation towards the downstream side)
= + 1 1 + 2 2

V. Location of Ry ( )
=

=

where:
= = 9.81
=
= 2.4
= 2.4

Factor of Safety
A. Against sliding, FSs:
=

> 1.50

=coefficient of friction between the masonry and the foundation

B. Against Overturning, FSo

=

> 2.0

PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION AT THE BASE

1. Resultant at the middle of the base

B/2

= 1
=

B/2

()

heel

toe

Pmax
Soil Pressure Diagram

RY
1m

c.g.

2. Resultant at the middle thirds nearer the toe.

B/3
=

B/3

B/3

Middle Third

+0
(1)
2

( )
2

heel

toe

Pmax

RY

3. Resultant outside the middle-thirds

(3)
2

2
3

B/3

B/3

B/3

Middle Third

heel

toe

Pmax

RY

4. Resultant within the middle thirds

From combine axial and bending stress formula:
B/3

B/3

B/3

Middle Third

heel

toe

fh
Soil Pressure Diagram

where : =
= 1 =
=
1 3
=
12

=
2

ft
e

1m

c.g.

RY

Substitute to the interaction formula

( 2 )
=

(1)3

12

: =

6
2

6
(1 )

Example:
For the gravity dam with cross section shown, determine:
1. Factor of safety against sliding
2. Factor of safety against overturning
3. Stress of foundation at the toe of dam
4. Stress of foundation at the heel of dam
Assume the uplift to vary linearly from full hydrostatic pressure at the toe to full hydrostatic
pressure at the heel, coefficient of friction in siding is 0.65.

4m
1.20m

Masonry
Dam
(sg=2.40)

18.8m
2.40m

20m

Solution:
Forces acting on dams

4m

W1

1.20m

W2

F1

W3

Masonry
Dam
(sg=2.40)

18.8m

2.40m

F2

P1=18.8w heel

20m

(P1-P2)

U2
U1

toe P2=2.40w

Considering 1m length of wall

1
1
1 = 1 1 = (18.8w 1
2
2
1
1
2 = 2 1 = (2.4w 1
2
2

Forces

Magnitude (kN)

W1
W2
W3
F1
F2
U1
U2
TOTAL

=4(20)(1)(2.4x9.81)=1,883.52
=1/2 (16)(20)(1)(2.4x 9.81)=3,767.04
=1/2(2.4)(1.92)(1)(9.81)=22.6
=1/2(18.8x9.81)(18.8)(1)=1,733.62
=1/2(2.4x9.81)(2.4)(1)=28.25
=1/2(18.8-2.4)(9.81)(20)(1)=1,608.84
=(2.4x9.81)(20)(1)=470.88

Moment Arm
about toe (m)
18
32/3
1.92/3
18.8/3
2.4/3
40/3
10

Resisting
Moment
(kN.m)
33,903.36
40,181.76
14.46

Overturnin
g Moment
(kN.m)

10,864.02
22.6

74,122.18

21,451.2
4,708.8
37,024.02

= 1 + 2 + 3 1 2 = 1,883.52 + 3,767.04 + 22.6 1,608.84 470.88 = 3,593.44

= 1 2 = 1,733.63 28.25 = 1,705.37

1. Factor of safety against sliding

=

0.65(3,593.44)
1,705.37

= 1.37 < 1.5 ,

2. Factor of safety against overturning

=

74,122.18
=
= 2.6 > 2.0 ()
37,024.02

3. Location of R y at base of dam from toe

=
=

74,122.18 37,024.02

= 10.32 > <
3,593.44
3 2

20

= 10.32
= 0.32 <
2
2
6

> 6 = 6 0.31 = 1.86

, .

4.Stresses at toe of Dam

B/2 =10m

qt
qh

Ry

= 10.32

 = = 10.32 3,593.44 = 1,149.90.

=

6
3,593.44 6(1,149.90)

= 179.672 17.249 = 162.423

1 12
120
1202

6
3,593.44 6(1,149.90)
+
=
+
= 179.672 + 17.249 = 196.921
1 12
120
1202