Gravity dam

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Willow Creek Dam, a roller-compacted concrete gravity dam

A gravity dam is a dam constructed from concrete or stone masonry and designed to hold back water by utilizing the weight of the material alone to resist the horizontal pressure of water pushing against it. Gravity dams are designed so that each section of the dam is stable, independent of any other dam section.[1][2]

The most common classification of gravity dams is by the materials composing the structure:

Composite dams are a combination of concrete and embankment dams.[citation needed] Construction materials of composite dams are the same used for concrete and embankment dams.

Gravity dams can be classified by plan (shape):

Gravity dams can be classified with respect to their structural height:

  • Low, up to 100 feet.
  • Medium high, between 100 and 300 feet.
  • High, over 300 feet.

References

Bibliography

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