Uplift Pressure below Gravity Dams on Rock

by B. Alex Grenoble, Univ of Colorado, United States,
Bernard Amadei, Univ of Colorado, United States,
Tissa H. Illangasekare, Univ of Colorado, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Waterpower '89

Abstract:

The magnitude of the uplift force at the base of a concrete gravity dam founded on rock is strongly dependent on the properties of the discontinuities within the rock mass. This paper discusses a two-dimensional finite element model which determines the water pressure distribution throughout a jointed rock mass as a function of the joint properties. The results of a study designed to investigate the influence of a variation in joint orientation on uplift are presented. The contribution of foundation drains in reducing uplift is also considered.

Subject Headings: Gravity dams | Concrete dams | Water pressure | Uplifting behavior | Two-dimensional models | Rock properties | Rock masses

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