Overview
This course presents fundamental principles underlying the design and construction of earth and rock-fill dams. The general principles presented herein are also applicable to the design and construction of earth levees. The objective of this course is to present guidance on the design, construction, and performance monitoring of and modifications to embankment dams. The design and construction of earth and rock-fill dams are complex because of the nature of the varying foundation conditions and range of properties of the materials available for use in the embankment.
The increased development and expansion of the population in the Nation’s watersheds have created a definite need to develop additional water supply. In many areas the existing national infrastructure can not meet these needs. The increase in urban development has also had a negative impact on water quality. The public is asking that preservation of the environment be an equal goal with the economic benefits of water resources projects. Since the current infrastructure is not meeting public needs, this situation is placing lives, livelihood, and property at risk. Several options are available to provide the additional quantity of water. The simplest and most cost-effective method to obtain the quantities needed is to add additional storage at existing dams.
The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of thirty (30) questions at the end of this course to earn PDH credits.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Spillway and outlet capacity
- Freeboard
- Homogeneous dam with internal drainage on impervious foundation
- Central core dam on impervious foundation
- Inclined core dam on impervious foundation
- Homogeneous dam with internal drainage on a pervious foundation
- Central core dam on a pervious foundation
- Dam with upstream impervious zone on a pervious foundation
- Foundation design
- Through rock abutment design
- Saddle dams
- Auxiliary spillway
- Dewatering of the work area
- Seepage control
- Embankment -zonation
- Cutoffs
- Horizontal drains
- Slurry trenches
- Upstream impervious blanket
- Relief wells
- Downstream seepage berm
- Drainage galleries
- Through earth abutment design
Course
Click on the following link to the PDF document to review the course material before taking the quiz for credit.
General Design and Construction Considerations for Earth and Rock-Fill Dams
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