Value Engineering and Cement-Bentonite Cutoff Wall Save Dam Project for Arizona Indian Tribe

by Eugene A. Miller, (M.ASCE), Converse Ward Davis Dixon, Inc., San Francisco, Calif.,
Gary S. Salzman, (M.ASCE), Vice-Pres.; Converse Ward Davis Dixon, Inc., Caldwell, N.J.,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1980, Vol. 50, Issue 8, Pg. 51-55


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

Value engineering showed how it was possible to save $1 million in construction costs for the San Carlos River Dam, east of Phoenix, Ariz. The proposed dam site was moved to take advantage of a bedrock spillway foundation, and the earth and rockfill embankment design was modified to utilize primarily unprocessed local materials. The pervious nature of the stream bed, and groundwater near the surface, required the design of an unusual cement-bentonite cutoff wall to prevent seepage under the embankment. Fast tracking of exploration, design, and construction trimmed months from the normal schedule, and brought the project to completion only 15 months after the start of final design. The dam provides a new economic base for the San Carlos Apache Indian Tribe.

Subject Headings: Value engineering | Dams | Rockfill dams | River and stream beds | Project management | Hydraulic design | Foundation design | Arizona | United States

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