Definition: Lake formed by building a wall across a valley which has water running through it.
What is dam theory?
As mentioned earlier, the effective seismic input method is derived by viewing soil-structure interaction as a scattering problem, wherein the presence of the dam causes the scattering of the free-field ground motion in the linear foundation domain.
How does a dam generate electricity?
A conventional dam holds water in a man-made lake, or reservoir, behind it. When water is released through the dam, it spins a turbine connected to a generator that produces electricity. The water returns to the river on the downstream side of the dam.
How much force is on a dam?
This force acts linearly along the length of the dam and at the reservoir level. The magnitude of this force varies from 250 to 1500 kN/sq. m depending upon the temperature variations. On an average, a value of 500 kN/sq.
What is a dam used for?
A dam is a structure built across a stream or river to hold water back. Dams can be used to store water, control flooding, and generate electricity.
What is the purpose of dam?
The purpose of a dam is to impound (store) water, wastewater or liquid borne materials for any of several reasons, such as flood control, human water supply, irrigation, livestock water supply, energy generation, containment of mine tailings, recreation, or pollution control.
What are the types of dams?
- 1) Diversion Dam. Like the name says, a diversion dam is used to divert water.
- 2) Buttress Dam. Buttress dams can take many forms, but they all consist of a sloping deck supported by intervals of buttresses.
- 3) Embankment Dam.
- 4) Cofferdam.
- 5) Storage Dam.
- 6) Detention Dam.
- 7) Gravity Dam.
What is dam engineering?
Dam engineering is a professional field that addresses issues related to the design, construction, and maintenance of dams.
Who invented dam?
The first constructed dams were gravity dams, which are straight dam made of masonry (stone brick) or concrete that resists the water load by means of weight. .” Around 2950-2750 B.C, the ancient Egyptians built the first known dam to exist.
What type of energy is running water?
Hydroelectric Energy: The Power of Running Water.
What is the form of energy contained in a dam called?
A rock resting at the top of a hill contains gravitational potential energy. Hydropower, such as water in a reservoir behind a dam, is an example of gravitational potential energy.
How do hydro dams work?
A hydroelectric dam converts the potential energy stored in a water reservoir behind a dam to mechanical energy—mechanical energy is also known as kinetic energy. As the water flows down through the dam its kinetic energy is used to turn a turbine.
Where is the greatest pressure in a dam?
Answer: The deeper the water, the more horizontal pressure it exerts on the dam. So at the surface of the reservoir, the water is exerting no pressure and at the bottom of the reservoir, the water is exerting maximum pressure.
What is stability of dam?
According to Figure 1 a gravity dam is stabilized exclusively by its own weight if the downstream dam face is inclined less than 0,80 to 0,84 (values for m in Figure 1). The sliding becomes the determining criterion due to the conservative value for the residual shear strength assumed on the horizontal lift joints.
How do dams resist the pressure of water?
Answer: Dams are made wider at the base as the pressure of water is more at the base of the dam. When area is greater the pressure acted by any object on it will be less. Thus dams can withstand a large pressure of water.
What is dam structure?
dam, structure built across a stream, a river, or an estuary to retain water. Dams are built to provide water for human consumption, for irrigating arid and semiarid lands, or for use in industrial processes.
What is the advantages of dams?
Benefits of Dams. Dams provide a range of economic, environmental, and social benefits, including recreation, flood control, water supply, hydroelectric power, waste management, river navigation, and wildlife habitat.
How is a dam made?
What are the problems of dams?
- (i) Soil Erosion: ADVERTISEMENTS:
- (ii) Species Extinction:
- (iii) Spread of Disease:
- (iv) Changes to Earth’s Rotation:
- (v) Sedimentation:
- (vi) Siltation:
- (vi) Water logging:
- (viii) Salinisation:
How do dams stop flooding?
Dam construction Dams are often built along the course of a river in order to control the amount of discharge. Water is held back by the dam and released in a controlled way. This controls flooding. Water is usually stored in a reservoir behind the dam.
What are the characteristics of a dam?
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigability.
Why are dams built?
People build dams to control water—to make sure the right amount is at the right place at the right time. River water rises behind dams, forming artificial lakes called reservoirs. The stored water can be used to generate electricity or to supply water for homes and industries, for irrigation or for navigation.
Why is concrete used for dams?
Concrete and cement-bentonite slurry walls provide an effective seepage barrier through earthen dams and foundations. Deep soil mixing and jet grouting provide stability and seepage control. Soil-cement can be used for slope protection on embankment dams in lieu of rock riprap.
What engineer builds dams?
Structural Engineers to design the dam and appurtenances such as de-watering valves, primary and secondary emergency spillways. It’s all a very involved and complicated process.
What type of engineer builds dams?
Civil engineering is the design and construction of public works, such as dams, bridges and other large infrastructure projects.