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 Type of Dams

Type of dams

Dams can be classified as embankment dams or concrete dams on the basis of the building material used.

Embankment Dams: are built of earth and/or rockfill  and resist the water pressure by their weight. If the material is not inherently watertight, they are faced with an impervious material or have a watertight core. This is the oldest and most widespread type of dam, accounting for 83 per cent of the world total.

Concrete dams: Types are as follows :

Gravity dams have a roughly triangular cross section and also resist water pressure by their weight. This is the most widespread type of concrete dam, accounting for two-thirds of the total.


Arch dams transmit most of the water load into the valley sides or large concrete thrust blocks. One concrete dam in four is an arch.

  

Buttress dams have the water load transmitted to triangular buttresses parallel to the direction of river flow

  

 
Multiple arch dams consist, as their name implies of a number of small arches bearing on buttresses. 

 
Barrages are a special case, consisting of a line of large gates which, when closed, transmit the water load to flanking piers. Barrrages are built on wide, slowmoving nvers.

(photos prises sur wikipedia)
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