Foundation Preparation and Foundation Treatment in Dams

Foundation Preparation
and Foundation
Treatment in dams
Types of Dams
Gravity dams.
Concrete Gravity dams
Masonry Dams
R.C.C dams
Embankment dam.
Earthen dams
Rock fill dams
Rock fill dam with U/s membrane
Arch dam.
Buttress Dam.
Other dams
OVERTOPPING
FOUNDATION
OTHERS
29%
53%
18%
Causes of Failure of Dams
Foundation is the lower most

part of the Dam which transmit
the load from the dam safely to
the rock stratum.
Dam foundation requirements
are based on the type of dam
proposed and is largely
dependent on the strength,
deformation, and permeability
characteristics of site materials.
To determine the depth of
excavation needed to achieve
an adequate foundation,
observation of site conditions in
borings and test pits, field
testing of soil and rock,
laboratory testing of
representative samples and,
ultimately, design analysis is
needed.
Dam Foundation requirement
Grouting: A process of pouring or injecting grout in the joints,

hollows, cracks, faults, shattered zones or fracture zones, etc.
Lugeon: The Lugeon is the unit of permeability Which is most
popular and relevant unit for grouting purposes
1 lugeon unit = 1 liter of water taken per meter of test
length,
per minute, at 10 bars pressure
Pattern: Arrangement of holes in plan and vertical section.

Drainage: It is the disposal of surface and seepage water in
the abutments, foundation and the body of the Dam.
Shear Key: A longitudinal trench in the foundation of concrete/
masonry dam and backfilled with concrete in order to
increase the resistance against sliding.
Terminologies Related to Dam

Foundations
The Shear Strength

Permeability of each Material
The Deformation Modulus to define the deformation of the
foundation.
Depth of Over burden
Joint pattern
Fold Orientation, etc.
These parameters can be Determined by Surface or SubSurface explorations
Foundation Investigations
Foundation Problems
Most of the dams have to be built on complex foundations
requiring special treatments. Various types of geological
features encountered are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Faults
Shear Zones
Shear Seams
Shattered/Highly
jointed rock
Foundations with
more than one type
of rock with different
properties
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Folds
Buried Channels
Jointing pattern of
the rock
mass
Caverns/Cavities
Springs etc.
A fault or fault line is a

planar fracture in rock in
which the rock on one side
of the fracture has moved
with respect to the rock on
the other side.
A shear zone or shear is a

wide zone of distributed
shearing in rock. Typically
this is a type of fault but
it may be difficult to place
a distinct fault plane into
the shear zone. Shear
zones may form zones of
much more intense
foliation, deformation,
and folding.
En echelon veins or
fractures may be
observed within shear
zones.
Faults and Shear zones
Those Geological features can cause

1.
Mechanical problems leading to excessive stress
concentrations, deformations, stability problems etc.
2.
Hydraulic problems like possibility of piping below the dam
along the weak features such as faults, shear zones etc.
3.
Sliding stability problems along shear seams/joints etc.
Foundation Problems
Foundation Problems (Faults)
Shih-Kang spillway weir damaged by 1999

Chi-Chi earthquake: Spillway openings 17
and 18 destroyed by fault movement
Effect of fault movement on ShihKang dam: Detail of destroyed

spillway openings 17 and 18
Concrete dams are more susceptible to damage from

differential settlement than embankment dams,
Conditions are most severe where the foundation comprise
materials with different moduli. For the condition shown in
Fig-(A) , differential settlement can induce stresses in the
concrete. And elastic and non- elastic behavior of rocks
causes permanent deformation of the foundation caused by
cycles of reservoir filling and emptying Fig (B).
Fig - (A)
FIG (B)
Foundation Problems
Rock Foundation:
Most natural and induced cavities develop in soluble rocks,
most notably limestone, dolomite, gypsum, and rock salt.
Typical karst conditions develop in lime stones and
dolomites by solution-widening of joints and bedding
planes caused by flowing ground water. Eventually, his
process develops into a heterogeneous arrangement of
cavities with irregular sinkholes occurring where cavity
roofs have collapsed. The amount of solution that occurs
in limestone and dolomite would be negligible in the
lifetime of a typical project. Hence, existing cavities are
the major concern.
Gypsum and anhydrite are less common than lime stones,
but they have the additional concern of solution and
collapse or settlement during the useful life of a typical
structure.
Flow of ground water, particularly to water supply wells,
has been known to dissolve gypsum and cause collapse of
structures.
Foundation Problems
Generally a considerable length of area needs to be

excavated to enable the various operations to go on
continuously.
Excavation of foundation for concrete spillway and

similar overflow structures should be carried out to
the desired depth and concrete should be laid on sound
rock.
Excavation within 500 mm of the foundation grade

should be done just before concrete is laid on sound
rock and should not be allowed to remain exposed for
long time. In case the geological exploration indicates
existence of faults, shear or weak zones, necessary
treatment of the foundation should be carried out before
laying the concrete.
Foundation Preparation for Gravity

Dams
Section Along Dam Axis

520
510
NSL
500
490
NSL
ROCK LINE
480
470
4 74. 3519
460
1 26. 7527
2 19. 7000
1 27. 8992
450
ELEVATOR
SHAFT
ELEVATOR SHAFT
440
BREAST WALL
430
4
1
TOP OF DAM
EL.42 3.80
420
EL.423 .8 0
EL.420 .80
NSL
410
EL.41 7.20
24
EL.42 0.80
EL .4 14.20
EL.41 1.20
21
NSL
2 5. 0000
EL.40 9.40
EL .4 06.40
EL .4 06.00
EL.40 4.80
EL .4 04.60
400
ROCK
LINE
STAIR CASE
CJ
EL .4 01.60
EL.39 9.80
20
CJ
EL .3 96.80
EL.41 9.00
CJ
EL.40 6.00
23
22
EL.40 6.00
EL.41 5.60
EL.41 2.80
EL.40 9.40
EL.40 6.0 0
EL.40 6.00
EL .4 09.40
EL .4 06.00
EL.40 1.40
EL .4 00.20
EL.39 6.80
EL .3 96.80
EL.39 3.40
EL .3 93.40
EL.39 4.00
390
EL.38 8.20
EL .3 85.20
380
370
19
EL.39 0.00
FOUNDATION
GRADE
EL .3 82.20
EL .3 79.20
CJ
EL.37 6.20
EL.37 4.40
EL.37 2.60
GUIDE WALL
EL .3 90.00
EL.388 .8 0
EL .3 85.40
EL.38 2.00
EL.37 8.60
EL.375.20
EL .3 71.80
EL.371.80
ROCK LINE
EL .36 9.00
EL.36 8.40
EL. 362.89
EL .3 65.40
EL .3 65.00
EL.385 .4 0
EL .3 82.00
EL.37 8.60
EL.37 5.20
EL .3 68.40
EL.36 5.00
EL.36 3.40
EL .3 62.40
360
EL.360 .0 0
EL.36 0.00
EL.35 9.60
EL .3 56.60
EL.356 .6 0
EL .3 54.80
EL.354 .8 0
EL.35 6.2 0
EL .3 52.80
350
EL.351 .4 0
EL .3 49.40
340
EL.34 8.00
EL .3 48.00
EL.34 4.60
EL .3 44.60
EL.34 1.20
EL .3 41.20
CJ
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
EL.346 .0 0
18
EL .3 42.60
EL .3 39.20
EL .3 37.80
EL .3 49.40
EL .3 46.00
EL.342 .6 0
FOUNDATION GRADE
EL .3 39.20
EL .3 37.80
EL.33 5.80
EL .3 34.40
EL .3 31.00
320
EL .3 30.00
EL.32 9.20
EL .3 29.00
EL .3 25.60
EL.325 .6 0
EL.322 .2 0
EL.322 .2 0
EL.318 .8 0
EL.31 8.80
EL.31 5.40
310
EL .3 32.40
EL.331 .0 0
EL.33 0.0 0
EL .3 29.00
EL .3 35.80
EL .3 34.40
EL .3 32.40
330
EL.35 6.20
EL.35 2.8 0
EL.35 1.40
CJ
CJ
CJ
EL .3 15.40
EL .3 25.80
EL.32 2.40
EL .3 22.40
EL.31 9.00
EL.31 9.00
EL.31 5.60
EL.31 5.60
GUIDE WALL
EL.31 2.20
EL .3 12.00
EL .3 09.40
EL.30 3.00
EL .3 09.20
NSL
EL.306 .4 0
EL.30 5.80
EL.30 0.0 0
EL.300.00
EL.296 .6 0
EL.30 0.00
ROCK LINE
EL.29 6.80
EL.29 6.60
EL.29 3.20
290
EL .30 9.20
EL .3 05.80
EL .3 03.00
EL.30 2.40
300
EL.32 5.80
EL.29 3.40
EL .2 93.20
EL .2 89.80
EL .2 89.80
EL.28 7.60
EL .2 86.40
EL.28 6.40
EL .2 85.20
EL.28 4.00
EL.28 3.00
ROCK LINE
280
EL .2 83.20
EL .2 83.00
EL.2 81.80
EL .2 79.60
EL.2 79.60
EL.27 8.80
EL.2 76.20
EL .27 5.40
EL.274 .8 0
EL.273 .0 0
EL .2 72.60
270
EL.27 1.80
EL.27 1.80
EL .2 70.60
EL .2 69.00
EL.26 7.60
EL.26 7.40
INSPECTION GALLERY
EL.266 .8 0
EL.26 5.80
EL.26 5.4 0
260
390
400
410
420
430
440
450
460
470
480
490
500
441.67
485.52
498.30
509.83
521.56
535.78
552.86
585.22
589.99
608.56
358.50
426.94
320
90.83
417.90
310
78.52
350
360
370
380
320
43.99
48.09
52.81
58.90
64.56
70.16
391.37
396.97
402.94
409.54
420
410
390
380
370
350
23.34
29.33
33.55
330
460
450
440
00.00
3.82
8.89
15.31
340
508
500
490
480
DISTANCE(m)
381.47
ELEVATION(m)
370.85
FOUNDATION GRADE
DATUM 250
Blasting operation should be carried out carefully without

affecting the rock mass beyond the required area of
excavation and shall be restricted to minimum 500 mm
above the foundation levels and at least 30 m away
from any existing structure.
However, in special cases the blasting may be carried
out at a distance of less than 30 m from any existing
structure using controlled blasting. If necessary, field
tests may be carried out to decide various parameters
of controlled blasting.
It is desirable to keep the foundation slope upwards in
downstream direction

Dams
Immediately before placing concrete/ masonry, all surface

of foundations upon or against which the concrete/masonry
is to be placed, should be free from standing water, mud,
debris, organic deposits, and other foreign material which
may prevent a tight bond between the rock and
concrete/masonry.
All surfaces of rock upon or against which the

concrete/masonry is to be placed should be clean, solid and
free from all objectionable coatings, sand loose,
semidetached or unsound fragments and should be
sufficiently rough to ensure satisfactory bond with the
concrete/ masonry.

Dams

Dams
Stepping in the foundation should be avoided and a

continuous foundation profile provided . The slope in
foundation grade should not exceed 45.
If the foundation grade has a slope greater than 45

suitable berm has to be provided.
Whenever the foundation is sloping steeply and shear

zones, faults and other weak layers exist in the
foundation, necessary treatment of the foundation
should be carried out before laying the concrete.

Dams

Dams
The following measures are usually taken to improve the

Sliding resistance of dam Foundation
Roughening of Base.
Provision of Shear Key.
Upstream Sloping of Dam base.
Use of Anchors.
Use of Mat Foundation.
Providing Buttress Structure.
Struts bearing against sound rock ledge on the Down
stream side.
Adopting a Slightly arched arrangement of the dam.
Foundation Treatment Against

Sliding
Shear Key
Rock Anchors
Treatment of Fault and Weak

Zones
Faults and weak zones exist in most rock formations, their

size, Continuity and orientations are important factors in
determining the suitability of a foundation for any dam.
Type of Fault
Problem to
Treatment
Foundation
Low- Angle Faults Providing

(Dip angle < 450) Inadequate Sliding
Resistance
1. Excavating
High Angle
Faults
(Dip angle > 450)
1. Dental
The main problem

is that of Bridging
over of the
Structure and the
resulting Stress
Concentrations
out the
weak material
2. Providing Shear
Keys
3. Use Rock Anchors
treatment
2. Providing Seepage
Cut-off on U/s
3. Use Rock Anchors
Dental Treatment for Faults and

Seams.
Very often the faults, shear seams or shattered zones

met with after excavation extend to such depths that it
is impracticable to clean them out entirely.
These conditions require special treatment. Stress

concentrations may occur in the dam due to the
presence of such low modulus zones.
To minimize the build up of stresses in the dam, a

portion of the weak zone is replaced by concrete. The
procedure for reinforcing and consolidating such weak
geological features is frequently called Dental Treatment.
These seams are excavated to a depth sufficient to

produce elastic qualities (stresses/ strains
/deformations) and bearing strength nearly equal to the
values (both in the dam and foundation) had such seams
not been present in the foundations.
Based on theoretical studies carried out for Shasta and

then for Friant dams, USBR has developed the following
approximate formulae for determining the depth of
concrete plug:
d = 0.0066 b H + 1.5
d = 0.3 b + 1.5
for H > 46 m
for H < 46 m
where,
H = Height of the dam above foundation level in m
b = width of the weak zone in m
d = Depth of excavation of weak zone below surface of adjoining sound
rock for providing concrete plug in m.

Seams.

Seams.

Seams.
In swelling rocks hold down piers

and tensioned rock
anchors are used to reduce heave due to rock swelling
Other measures
The principal purpose of grouting is to fill openings in a

foundation and render it impervious to percolating
water.
It is also used to improve the strength and elastic
properties of the foundation material into which it is
injected.
The method of grouting, in large measure, depends
upon the nature of treatment to be given to foundation
materials which, in turn, depends upon the geological
features.
For details of grouting for foundation treatment,
reference may be made to IS 6066 : 1994.
Grouting and Drainage Provisions

for Foundations
Consolidation Grouting - For filling up the joints, cracks, crevices

etc. and there by making the foundation homogeneous.

for Foundations
Curtain Grouting - For making a curtain to cutoff/

minimize
seepage

for Foundations
Drainage arrangements - To drain off seepage water

and thus reduce uplift. Some rules in this respect are

for Foundations
Consolidation Grouting :
Holes at 3-6 m c/c

rock interface
6 m to 15m deep, Normal to dam -
Curtain Grouting :
As per IS 11293 (Part 2): 1993 The depth of grout

curtain depends upon the type and conditions of the rock
mass with respect to its permeability. The following
empirical criteria may be used as a guide which is based
on going practice.
D=2/3 H +8
D= Depth of the grout curtain in m, and
H= Hydraulic head
Holes at 3.0 m c/c

for Foundations

for Foundations
Name: St Francis Dam
Location: a water supply dam for Los Angeles,

California, USA.
THIS DAM COLLAPSED!

It had unsuitable foundation rock, and it was NOT
GROUTED!
It was built in 1924-26, before the need for grouting was
understood.
Max height = 205ft [63m]
The Foundation and Abutment preparation of Dams Can

be Explained Under the Following Headings,
1. Earth foundations.
2. Rock Foundations.
3. Abutment Treatments.
Foundation And Abutment

Preparation of Dams
The design of dams on earth foundations is based on the in

situ shear strength of the foundation soils.
Foundation preparation usually consists of clearing,
grubbing to remove stumps and large roots in
approximately the top 3 ft, and stripping to remove sod,
topsoil, boulders, organic materials, rubbish fills, and other
undesirable materials.
It is not generally necessary to remove organic-stained
soils. Highly compressible soils occurring in a thin surface
layer or in isolated pockets should be removed.
After stripping, the foundation surface will be in a loose
condition and should be compacted.
Note : If a silty or clayey foundation soil has a high water
content and high degree of saturation, attempts to compact
the surface with heavy sheep-foot or rubber-tired rollers will
only remold the soil and disturb it
Earth Foundations
Stump holes should be filled and compacted by power-driven

hand tampers.
For dams on impervious earth foundations not requiring a cutoff,
an inspection trench having a minimum depth of 6 ft should be
made. This will permit inspection for abandoned pipes, soft
pockets, tile fields, pervious zones, or other undesirable features
not discovered by earlier exploration.
Differential settlement of an embankment may lead to tension
zones along the upper portion of the dam and to possible
cracking along the longitudinal axis in the vicinity of steep
abutment slopes at tie-ins or closure sections. To minimize this
possibility, steep abutment slopes and foundation excavation
slopes should be flattened, if feasible, particularly beneath the
impervious zone of the embankment
Earth Foundations (Cont.)
Rock foundations should be cleaned of all loose fragments,

including semidetached surface blocks of rock spanning relatively
open crevices.
Projecting knobs of rock should be removed to facilitate operation
of compaction equipment and to avoid differential settlement.
Cracks, joints, and openings beneath the core and possibly
elsewhere should be filled with mortar or lean concrete according
to the width of opening.
The excavation of shallow exploration or core trenches by blasting
may damage the rock. Where this may occur, exploration trenches
are not recommended, unless they can be excavated without
blasting. Where core trenches disclose cavities, large cracks, and
joints, the core trench should be backfilled with concrete to
prevent possible erosion of core materials by water seeping
through joints or other openings in the rock.
Rock Foundations
Where an earth dam is constructed on a jointed rock

foundation, it is essential to prevent embankment fill from
entering joints or other openings in the rock.
Shale foundations should not be permitted to dry out before
placing embankment fill, nor should they be permitted to
swell prior to fill placement.
Limestone rock foundation may contain solution cavities and
require detailed investigations
Where faults or wide joints occur in the embankment
foundation, they should be dug out, cleaned and backfilled
with lean concrete
This type of treatment is obviously required beneath cores
of earth and rock-fill dams and also beneath rock-fill shells.
Rock Foundations (Cont.)
The principal hazards that exist on rock abutments are due

to irregularities in the cleaned surfaces and to cracks or
fissures in the rock.
Cleaned areas of the abutments should include all surfaces
beneath the dam with particular attention given to areas in
contact with the core and filters. It is good practice to do
both a preliminary and final cleanup of these areas.
The purpose of the preliminary cleanup is to facilitate
inspection to identify areas that require additional
preparation and treatment. Within these areas, all
irregularities should be removed or trimmed back to form a
reasonably uniform slope on the entire abutment.
Overhangs must be eliminated by use of concrete backfill
beneath the overhang or by barring and wedging to remove
the overhanging rock.
Abutment Treatment
Abutment Treatment (Cont.)

Concrete backfill may have to be placed by shotcrete, gunite, or
similar methods to fill corners beneath overhangs.
Vertical rock surfaces beneath the embankment should be
avoided or, if permitted, should not be higher than 5 ft, and
benches between vertical surfaces should be of such width as to
provide a stepped slope comparable to the uniform slope on
adjacent areas.
Relatively flat abutments are desirable to avoid possible tension
zones and resultant cracking in the embankment, but this may
not be economically possible where abutment slopes are steep.
Flattening of the abutment slope may reduce the effects of
rebound cracking (i.e., stress relief cracking) that may have
accompanied the development of steep valley walls.
The cost of abutment flattening may be offset by reductions in
abutment grouting. The cost of foundation and abutment
treatment may be large and should be considered when
selecting dam sites and type of dam.

Foundation Preparation and Foundation Treatment in Dams

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Foundation Preparation

Causes of Failure of Dams

Foundation is the lower most

Dam Foundation requirement

Grouting: A process of pouring or injecting grout in the joints,

Pattern: Arrangement of holes in plan and vertical section.

Terminologies Related to Dam

The Shear Strength

These parameters can be Determined by Surface or SubSurface explorations

A fault or fault line is a

A shear zone or shear is a

Faults and Shear zones

Those Geological features can cause

Foundation Problems (Faults)

Shih-Kang spillway weir damaged by 1999

Effect of fault movement on ShihKang dam: Detail of destroyed

Concrete dams are more susceptible to damage from

Generally a considerable length of area needs to be

Excavation of foundation for concrete spillway and

Excavation within 500 mm of the foundation grade

Foundation Preparation for Gravity

Section Along Dam Axis

Blasting operation should be carried out carefully without

Foundation Preparation for Gravity

Immediately before placing concrete/ masonry, all surface

All surfaces of rock upon or against which the

Foundation Preparation for Gravity

Foundation Preparation for Gravity

Stepping in the foundation should be avoided and a

If the foundation grade has a slope greater than 45

Whenever the foundation is sloping steeply and shear

Foundation Preparation for Gravity

Foundation Preparation for Gravity

The following measures are usually taken to improve the

Foundation Treatment Against

Treatment of Fault and Weak

Faults and weak zones exist in most rock formations, their

Low- Angle Faults Providing

The main problem

Dental Treatment for Faults and

Very often the faults, shear seams or shattered zones

These conditions require special treatment. Stress

To minimize the build up of stresses in the dam, a

These seams are excavated to a depth sufficient to

Based on theoretical studies carried out for Shasta and

Dental Treatment for Faults and

Dental Treatment for Faults and

Dental Treatment for Faults and

In swelling rocks hold down piers

The principal purpose of grouting is to fill openings in a

Grouting and Drainage Provisions

Consolidation Grouting - For filling up the joints, cracks, crevices

Grouting and Drainage Provisions

Curtain Grouting - For making a curtain to cutoff/

Grouting and Drainage Provisions

Drainage arrangements - To drain off seepage water

Grouting and Drainage Provisions

Holes at 3-6 m c/c

6 m to 15m deep, Normal to dam -

As per IS 11293 (Part 2): 1993 The depth of grout

Grouting and Drainage Provisions

Grouting and Drainage Provisions