longitudinal joints in dams
DESCRIPTION
longitudinal jointsTRANSCRIPT
4 weeks ago
M M Madan
Director (Hydro) - GVK
Ex Executive Director-NHPC
IntroductionNormally the provisions of longitudinal joints in Concrete Gravity Dam are made to achieve necessary temperature
control and to prevent cracks parallel to the length of the dam. This is done in case of relatively high dams by
subdividing the monolith into several blocks by Longitudinal Contraction joints. Subsequently these Longitudinal
Contraction joints are grouted to ensure monolithic action.
For consideration of Safety of the structure, the IS Code (Indian Specifications) advocates elimination of
longitudinal joints. Basically IS Code recognizes the practice of dividing a monolith block into two or more blocks by
introducing joints parallel to the axis of Dam as unsound. However if necessary, a high degree of perfection has to
be ensured by providing suitable shear keys and then properly grouting the joints to create a monolithic block.
However, the necessity of vertical or inclined discontinuity is sometimes required due to the reasons other than
“thermal behaviour and crack control”. One such reason may be due to tight construction program and adoption of
methodology. This paper focuses on Dams where “Longitudinal Contraction Joints” have been provided successfully
and the dams are functioning properly for a long time.
Joints in Concrete StructuresCreating a construction joint in a large gravity dam is common practice and is applied on majority of dams. Where
the dam is very thick, longitudinal joints are necessary to control random cracking, to accommodate volumetric
changes and to facilitate construction. These should be able to transfer compressive and shear stresses and must
be grouted after cooling (ICOLD bulletin 107 on concrete dams).
Joints are necessary in concrete structures for a variety of reasons. All the concrete may not be placed
continuously in a structure under construction, therefore the construction joints are provided to allow for the work to
be resumed after a certain period of time.
Principally due to shrinkage and temperature changes, the concrete undergoes volume changes; therefore, it is
desirable to provide joints to relieve tensile or compressive stresses that would be induced in the structure.
By adopting specific construction measures, the homogeneity of the dam body shall be ensured by providing shear
keys casted on the internal face of both blocks that will assure the transmission of shear stresses if any. After
concreting of the area between the two blocks, the grouting will ensure that the structure is monolithic.
In the second stage of concreting, internal joints are an acceptable practice as far as they allow an efficient and
sound transfer of loads / stresses.
Longitudinal and Transverse Contraction Joints in DamsA contraction joint is formed by vertical or inclined surface between masses of concrete/ masonry placed at different
times. The joints divide the dam into convenient sized monoliths to permit convenient and systematic construction
and to prevent the formation of haphazard ragged cracks due to volume changes that cannot be prevented,
Transverse Contraction joints
Longitudinal Joints in Dams- Some Case Studies
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It is good practice for normal methods of construction to provide contraction joints in gravity dams. The spacing of
transverse contraction joints shall be such as to suit the methods of construction, materials of the dam, the
foundation conditions and the convenience of the location of control gates outlets etc. They are usually spaced
about 15m apart, experience having shown that cracks are likely to develop in monoliths much wider than this. It is
however, essential to locate the joints to best advantage relative to the shape of the abutments. The general
requirement is that each joint extends entirely through the structure.
Longitudinal Contraction Joints
For large structures the problems of cooling large masses of concrete are enormous. One of the measures used to
control cracks parallel to the length of the dam in case of relatively high dams is to subdivide the monolith into
several blocks by longitudinal contraction joints and subsequently grout these joints to ensure monolithic action.
The spacing of joints is largely dictated by convenience of construction and foundation conditions. A spacing of
20-30m is generally adopted.
There is also now a school of thought which believes that the longitudinal joints need to be at very close spacing of
about 15m or even omit them all, since there are doubts of the final behaviour of dams built in such a manner.
IS Code (Indian Specifications) advocates elimination of longitudinal joints for the consideration of safety. Basically
IS Code recognises the practice of dividing a monolith block into two or more blocks by introducing joints parallel to
the axis of Dam as unsound. However if necessary, a high degree of perfection has to be ensured by providing
suitable shear keys and then properly grouting the joints to create a monolithic block.
IS Code:6512 on “Criteria for Design of Solid Gravity Dams” vide clause 7.1.1.1 states that “It is now being
increasing accepted that better alternative is to achieve necessary temperature control by pre-cooling of concrete
supplemented wherever necessary by post-cooling and avoid longitudinal joints altogether, even in case of high
dams.”
However, the necessity of vertical or inclined discontinuity is sometimes required due to the reasons other than
“thermal behaviour and crack control”. One such reason may be due to tight construction programme and adoption
of methodology. The homogeneity & monolithicity of the dam body has to be ensured by provision of shear keys
cast on the internal face of both the blocks and grouting performed after the concreting of the area between the two
blocks. Further, a detailed stability analysis of the dam needs to be carried out considering the longitudinal joints for
all relevant load cases and uplift conditions.
There are examples of Bhakra Dam & Dulhasti Dam in India, Ravedis Dam in Italy, Les Toules Arch Dam in
Switzerland, Bolargue Dam, Irabia Dam & Grand Dixence Dam in Switzerland where such longitudinal joints have
been provided successfully.
The 390 MW Dulhasti Hydroelectric Project is a run of the river scheme located on river Chenab in District Doda,
J&K- India. The project consists of a diversion dam at Dul with two intakes, one to provide water for the first stage
and another to provide water for the proposed second stage. There are two underground desilting chambers with
necessary flushing conduits and two more desilting chambers has already been constructed for the proposed
second stage. The head race tunnel is 7.7 m dia and 10.6 km long. Due to changes in alignment, it doesn't have a
uniform slope from upstream to downstream and hence an air-vent shaft of 400 m high has been provided to avoid
airlock. An underground surge shaft of 18.5m diameter, 117m deep with other ancillary tunnels has been provided.
Three penstocks of 4.8 m dia and 141 m depth take-off from surge shaft. The underground power house with
installed capacity of 390 MW (3x130 MW) with all the appurtenant structures is located at Hasti.
The construction work of the project was awarded to a French consortium Dumez-Sogea-Borie SAE in October
1989, but was abandoned in August 1992. The work remained standstill for a period of about three years (between
1995 to 1997). The tunnelling work was carried out departmentally. Then the work was again retendered and
Dulhasti HE Project
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awarded to the Indo-Norwegian Joint venture Jaiprakash – Statkraft (JSA) during April, 1997. The project was finally
commissioned in the year 2007.
Geology of the Project Area
Geologically, the rocks of Kishtwar area are classified into two Groups viz. Older Kishtwar Group and Younger
Sinthan Group, corresponding to the metamorphic rocks and younger sedimentary and volcanic rocks respectively.
The contact of these two groups is marked by a thrust designated as Chhattru Thrust, which is having a sinusoidal
alignment. There were presence of other regional faults viz. Kishtwar Fault (runs almost N-S) and Daddhar –
Buzensheru Fault within Kishtwar Group. Structurally, the area was very disturbed and subjected to intense folding
and faulting. Kishtwar fault was a significant fault in the area and separating schist and gneisses of Salkhala
Formation and Quartzite - Phyllite sequence of Dul Formation under the Kishtwar Group of rocks. This fault was
trending in NNW – SSE direction and dipping 650 in westerly direction. The Kishtwar plateau (fossil valley), later on,
is designated as “Graben” based on kinematic mechanism and sub-surface explorations carried out for HRT of the
Project by French Consortium.
Dulhasti DamThe Dul dam is a mass gravity concrete dam, measuring 65 m high above foundation with a crest length of 186m. It
serves the primary function of hydroelectricity.
In Dul dam longitudinal and vertical joints were provided as a construction requirement. These joints were provided
with shear keys casted on internal face of both the blocks for transmission of shear stresses. These joints were
later on grouted to ensure monolithic structure in the dam. Necessary provisions were left during construction stage
to ensure grouting after completion. The grouting was done successfully. The dam is in operation and behaving
correctly.
[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-26XrHU7k6MA/UhogIi7OaPI
/AAAAAAAAINY/Je4LvggBAYU/s1600/X+section+dam.jpg]
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[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jlel1cUs1lA/Uhofrfr63dI/AAAAAAAAINE/BvhveiE8dVA/s1600/Dulhasti+Dam.png]
Dul Dam Cross Section - Longitudinal Joint parallel to Dam Axis can be seen
[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pMd37LtFBZc/Uhogj6XqSMI/AAAAAAAAINg/6VIgXPGjXMc/s1600/Dul+dam+plan.jpg]
Dul Dam Foundation Plan - Longitudinal Joint parallel to Dam Axis can be seen
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[http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJit1zmhY5Y/UhogD-
aK2vI/AAAAAAAAINQ/QIIxFedT5j0/s1600/vertical+joints-+Dulhasti.png]
[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wP_1FJLEK4Q/UhojzD4kF_I
/AAAAAAAAINw/G4s-BLWbuFU/s1600/Dul+Grouting+arrangement.jpg]
Dul Dam – Grouting System Arrangement
Ravedis DamThe Ravedis dam in Italy is a mass gravity concrete dam, measuring 51 m high above foundation with a crest length
of 173m and a reservoir storage volume of 25 million cum. It serves for Flood Control, irrigation and hydroelectricity.
The construction of the Dam was completed in November, 2004.
During construction of the monolithic basement of Ravedis dam, 8 (eight) different blocks were casted and
connected together by joints, parallel to the dam axis. Particular attention was given to the joint treatment of
monolithic basement blocks in order to guarantee the monolithic characteristic requested for the foundation block.
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[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HCz14oXuf08/UhollWb944I/AAAAAAAAIQc/Sw6gD5idfuU/s1600/Ravedis+Foundation+Plan.png]
[http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ssXl3NvP1WI/UhollpRO4NI/AAAAAAAAIQs
/EbA0FjZB7jA/s1600/Ravedis+Dam.png]
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[http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fU-s4D67ZPo/UhollnKmG1I
/AAAAAAAAIQo/YZQDVI51Mss/s1600/Ravedis+X+section.jpg]
Cross Section of Ravedis Dam - Longitudinal Joints parallel to Dam Axis can be seen
Les Toules Arch DamLes Toules Dam in Switzerland is a 86m high double curvature Arch dam with a crest length of 460m. The first dam
was built as single curvature arch dam in 1958. The heightening of this dam was carried out in 1960-1964 and
converted to Double curvature Arch dam. Particular design was very slender shape without abutment thickening,
high vertical curvature towards valley and no shear keys.
The dam foundation lies on gneiss and mica schist rocks forming alternate subvertical strips almost parallel to the
valley. In 2003, upgraded seismic regulations and recommendations of Swiss Federal Office of Energy required the
dam owners to reassess the safety of their structures. In this context comprehensive studies of the existing dam
structure and its behaviour were carried out, and dam strengthening was required.
This arch dam was rehabilitated by adding buttresses on the downstream face of the dam, creating a longitudinal
curved joint between the existing structure and the new concrete structure transferring the load from the overloaded
cantilevers to the thickened arches, creation of shear keys in the vertical joints, local foundation treatment and
some other secondary rehabilitation works. To strengthen the dam, abutment thickening was done in both
abutments, shear columns were provided, for seismic purpose downstream face was provided with 30,000cum of
concrete. The bonding between old and new concrete was done with proper joint treatment by hydro-demolition with
high pressure rotating water jets. The contact between the existing dam and the new concrete was not grouted to
prevent any jacking effect because of grout pressure. After rehabilitation, the final monolithic structure behaved
satisfactorily along expected lines.
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[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TrgCHftwxKU/Uholk23tRjI/AAAAAAAAIQU/gPe-pTfDD-
k/s1600/Les+Vincas.png]
[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Av1Byk6Lr0U/Uholj9rGvHI
/AAAAAAAAIQE/KX3LohV0zmw/s1600/Les+Toules.jpg]
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[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ckGkBD6vEOE/Uholm0Xhl7I/AAAAAAAAIRA
/0liD2mkEpdA/s1600/rehabilitation+Les+Toules.jpg]
[http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e6cqwaWbO7I/UholhN1wAiI/AAAAAAAAIPQ/QjZNrVcsUxg/s1600
/End+Block+les+toules.png]
Irabia DamIrabia Dam was heightened three times and the fourth heightening is being planned.
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[http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pWHgZ5YG_nw/Uholikxko0I/AAAAAAAAIPw
/7w-VIc-mjEA/s1600/Irabia+Dam+stages.png]
The figure above shows the original profile over which three other profiles of the extended portion. The
profile of the fourth extension being planned can be seen.
Bolarque DamThe Bolarque Dam was heightened & the base width was increased. Galleries were also provided at the foundation
& at the top of the existing dam to take care of the uplift forces.
[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5L-77kMxhSI/UholdAFmk6I
/AAAAAAAAIOg/jqLPUAHMQ0A/s1600/Bolarque+dam.png]
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[http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XhjZ3D-ge7k/Uholj3xSIwI/AAAAAAAAIQA/bVU9mzVVm6U/s1600/Irabia+photo.jpg]
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Grand Dixence Dam285m tall Grand Dixence Dam is located in Switzerland in Canton of Valais on the Dixence River. The river supplies
water to the Rhône Valley. It is the highest Gravity Dam in the world. It is 695m long with a base width of 200m. It
was carefully planned to be built in successive stages. The hydroelectric power plant has a capacity of 2000 MW. It
holds back Lac des Dix which is 3.65 Sq. km (902 acres) in area. It holds 400 million cum of water and is 284m
deep. It is the 5th tallest dam in the world & highest gravity dam in the world. The Grout curtain extends 200 m deep
and 100 m outward in each direction. First Dixence dam was built in 1929 and construction on the new dam started
in 1950. The New dam submerged the old dam.
[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BX8x1tX5zNk/UholhvYn1DI/AAAAAAAAIPY
/527Sejv0YUE/s1600/Grand+Dixene.png]
Figure shows the profiles for each stage. Keys were provided at each stage for better bonding.
Longitudinal joints were created in the process.
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[http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmlauEM3cNk/Uhoos3E3-CI/AAAAAAAAIRQ
/6h9XrDv3POk/s1600/Grand+Diexene+stages.png]
Grand Dixence Dam Cross Section – Figure shows the years in which different blocks have been
Constructed- Longitudinal Joints created during successive stages can be seen
Bhakra DamBhakra dam in India is a mass concrete gravity dam of 225.55m height located on Satluj River corresponding to a
total volume of 3.82 million cum of concrete. It is located in an area with large seasonal temperature variation. The
dam construction was started in 1955 and completed in 1963. Several remedial measures were taken to avoid
cracks in this large massive structure. The dam body was segmented in a series of blocks by traverse and
longitudinal joints. Without longitudinal joints for such a large concrete structure, stoppages or delays in the
construction during the winter time would have involved cracking of the dam body. Cross section of the dam body
shows the joints provided during construction in Bhakra Dam.
[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-psjBUnLrWzs/UhopFhvxf0I/AAAAAAAAIRY
/8pjuvOPcYfs/s1600/Bhakra+Dam.jpg]
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Cross- section of Bhakra Dam
ConclusionThe various examples cited above where Longitudinal Contraction joints have been provided due to varying
reasons. Concrete Gravity Dams with Longitudinal Contraction joints can be planned when necessitated due to
reasons such as construction programme and ultimately the viability of the project itself. However, utmost care has
to be taken so that a high degree of perfection is accomplished in ensuring monolithicity by providing suitable shear
keys and successfully grouting all the joints. These examples demonstrate that with proper planning, adopting strict
quality control measures and maintaining all necessary design requirements, there is no reason as to why
Longitudinal Contraction Joints cannot be adopted in large concrete dams.
ReferencesNew York, VI Congress of ICOLD 1958
Rome, VII Congress of ICOLD 1961
New Delhi, XIII Congress of ICOLD 1979
Florence, XIX Congress of ICOLD 1997
Muller, O., Wohnlich, A., Safety Enhancement and Strengthening of Les Toules arch Dam.
Posted 4 weeks ago by MM Madan
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