The R. D. Bailey Dam, a Concrete-Faced, Earth-Rockfill

by Ralph R. W. Beene,
Edward C. Pritchett,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Concrete Face Rockfill Dams?Design, Construction, and Performance

Abstract:

A case history for the R. D. Bailey Dam, describing its comparatively unique design and construction considerations, and its operational performance since initial reservoir filling in 1980 is presented. Of the materials available for construction of the main dam, those suitable for use as impervious earth fill were severely lacking. Adequate quantities of rockfill materials were readily available for use in the embankment, but were weaker than those usually associated with engineered rockfills. Therefore, the dam was constructed as a weak rock fill with an upstream facing slab of reinforced concrete. Special provisions were made to minimize post-construction deformations of the concrete slab, and to provide control of seepage in the event of breakage of the slab. An instrumentation monitoring program to obtain systematic measurement of downstream seepage discharges, embankment piezometric levels, and embankment and face slab deformation has been carried out since the project was placed in service. With the exception of one known instance of slab displacement, observations and instrumentation data to date indicate the embankment and its face slab to be performing satisfactorily and within the limits contemplated in the design.

Subject Headings: Slabs | Concrete dams | Rockfill dams | Seepage | Embankment dams | Rock fills | Reinforced concrete

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