Roller Compacted Concrete
"Roller-compacted concrete (RCC) and soil cement have been used in dam construction since the late 1970s. These materials are similar since they both have zero-slump consistency and are placed and compacted with equipment typical of earth-moving or paving operations. The use of RCC and soil cement usually results in a shorter construction schedule due to higher production rates compared to conventional or mass concrete construction. A shorter construction schedule minimizes the hydrologic risks involved with dam construction and allows the contractor to reduce contingency costs for potential flood damages." [1]
"RCC spillways generally consist of non-air-entrained concrete, without reinforcement, water-stopped joints, or anchorage, but with underdrain systems similar to conventional concrete spillways. RCC has a wide application for use as overtopping protection since the material is suitable for a wide range of flow depths and velocities. Laboratory studies, fullscale tests, and field experience have all shown that, even at relatively low strengths and cementitious contents, RCC has exceptional resistance to erosion and abrasion damage from both high and low velocity flows, even at an early age. RCC has an added advantage where debris lies within the drainage basin since it can generally resist captured debris impacts (such as trees, cobbles, and boulders) without significant damage and without causing severe irregularities in the hydraulic flow due to snagging of debris. Approximately 10 percent of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) federally-assisted dams are expected to use RCC overtopping protection in the future to increase hydraulic capacity and meet dam safety standards." [1]
Best Practices Resources
Roller-Compacted Concrete (EM 1110-2-2006), USACE
Trainings
On-Demand Webinar: Stepped Chute Spillway Design for Embankment Dams
On-Demand Webinar: RCC Applications in Dam Engineering - What We Have Learned and What's New
On-Demand Webinar: Roller Compacted Concrete - Design and Construction of Water Control Structures
Citations:
Revision ID: 7145
Revision Date: 07/11/2023