Internal Stability (Stresses)

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Learn more about the need to consider uplift pressure when designing a gravity structure at DamFailures.org

Internal stability failures occur at individual joints, lift surfaces, or other weak planes internal to a dam structure rather than the structure as a whole. This may include sliding on lift surfaces or exceedance of allowable material strengths.

Examples

Lesson learned: Concrete gravity dams should be evaluated to accommodate full uplift (Damfailures.org)

Case study: Oroville Dam Spillway Incident (Damfailures.org)

Case study: St. Francis Dam Failure (Damfailures.org)

Best Practices Resources

Stability Analysis of Concrete Structures (EM 1110-2-2100), USACE

Gravity Dam Design (EM 1110-2-2200), USACE

Arch Dam Design (EM 1110-2-2201), USACE

Design of Small Dams, USBR

Trainings

On-Demand Webinar: Introduction to Concrete Gravity Dams

On-Demand Webinar: Uplift and Drainage for Concrete Dams and Spillways

On-Demand Webinar: Analysis of Concrete Arch Dams

On-Demand Webinar: Stability Evaluations of Concrete Dams

On-Demand Webinar: Roller Compacted Concrete - Design and Construction of Water Control Structures

Citations:

Revision ID: 7373
Revision Date: 07/21/2023