4 IMPORTANT HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES

Dam

is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of water or underground streams.

Gravity Dam

it depends on its weight for stability and is usually straight in plan and sometimes slightly curve. It is a dam constructed from concrete or stone masonry and designed to hold back water by primarily using the weight of the material alone to resist the horizontal pressure of water pushing against it.

Arch Dams

is a concrete dam that is curved upstream in plan. This is designed so that the force of the water against it, known as hydrostatic pressure, presses against the arch, compressing and strengthening the structure as it pushes into its foundation or abutments.

Buttress Dams

it consist of a sloping membrane that transmit the water load to a series of buttresses at right angles to the axis of the dam. Also known as hollow dam is a dam with a solid, water-tight upstream side that is supported at intervals on the downstream side by a series of buttresses or supports.

Embankment Dams

also known as (Earth fill and/or rock fill types) utilizes natural materials with a minimum of processing and may be built with primitive equipment under conditions where under construction material would be impracticable. It is a large artificial dam. It is typically created by the placement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil, sand, clay, or rock. It has a semi-pervious waterproof natural covering for its surface and a dense, impervious core.

Spillway

it is necessary to discharge floods and prevent the dam from being damaged. It is the safety value for a dam.

Controlled Spillway

it is a spillway if the flow is controlled by gates.

Uncontrolled Spillway

it is a spillway if the elevation of the spillway crest is the only control.

Overflow Spillway

it is a section of dam designed to permit water to pass over its crest.

Chute Spillway

it is a common and basic design which transfers excess water from behind the dam down a smooth decline into the river below.

Side Channel Spillway

it is used when the dam is not rigid and it is undesirable to pass flood water over the dam.

Shaft Spillway

the water drops in a vertical shaft to horizontal conduit that conveys the water past the dam.

Siphon Spillway

it is used when large capacity is not necessary and space is limited. It automatically maintain water surface elevation within very close limits. The air is vent for removing the entrapped pressure from the water.