Discuss the classification of earth dams with neat sketches bringing out their relative merits and demerits.
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1. AVAILABILITY OF EARTH MATERIALS
Earth is readily available in most parts of the world close to possible dam sites. Now a days the knowledge of soil mechanics has further enhanced the chances to make unstable earth dam as stable.
2. EASY HANDLING OF EARTH
Earth can be excavated by hand, transported in baskets and compacted with cattles walking over it. In suitable situation, earth can be handled and moved with latest machinery.
3. FOUNDATION CONDITION
Earth dams are suited to the sites where a masonry dam cannot be used for structural reasons. These dams can be constructed even on compressible foundations. The intensity of foundation stress due to earth is less than that due to solid masonry. The horizontal water pressure on the dams is distributed over greater area because of greater base width and hence, the danger of sliding on a weak foundation is minimized. The greater width of dam foundation also minimizes the leakage through the foundation beneath the dam.
4. COST OF CONSTRUCTION
The most important advantage of an earth dam compared to masonry dam, is its lesser cost. It has been observed that the total cost of an earth dam, is roughly one-half of a concrete dam.
Earth is readily available in most parts of the world close to possible dam sites. Now a days the knowledge of soil mechanics has further enhanced the chances to make unstable earth dam as stable.
2. EASY HANDLING OF EARTH
Earth can be excavated by hand, transported in baskets and compacted with cattles walking over it. In suitable situation, earth can be handled and moved with latest machinery.
3. FOUNDATION CONDITION
Earth dams are suited to the sites where a masonry dam cannot be used for structural reasons. These dams can be constructed even on compressible foundations. The intensity of foundation stress due to earth is less than that due to solid masonry. The horizontal water pressure on the dams is distributed over greater area because of greater base width and hence, the danger of sliding on a weak foundation is minimized. The greater width of dam foundation also minimizes the leakage through the foundation beneath the dam.
4. COST OF CONSTRUCTION
The most important advantage of an earth dam compared to masonry dam, is its lesser cost. It has been observed that the total cost of an earth dam, is roughly one-half of a concrete dam.
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