Embankment dams: Methods of protection during overtopping

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Hydro Review; (United States)

OSTI ID:5536885

Frizell, K H; Mefford, B W; Dodge, R A; Vermeyen, T B ^[1]

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1. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO (United States)

As a result of ongoing research, information on the performance of several types of materials to use to protect embankments from erosion due to overtopping floods is available. Dam owners can use this performance data to select a reliable overtopping protection system for their dams. Some block-type revetment systems have proven reliable for protecting low embankments subjected to small overtopping heads, and many embankment dams have been protected with either soil cement or roller compacted concrete (RCC). Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently approved the use of RCC for protection of the embankment dam at Southern California Edison's Bishop Creek [number sign]2 hydroelectric plant. As a result of FERC's acceptance of RCC for overtopping protection to add spillway capacity, the utility saved $500,000. Protective systems for high embankment structures currently favor using RCC or slip-formed stepped or smooth concrete deck overlays. Reclamation's near-prototype research program, continuing for the next four years, will extend the present data base for low embankment dams while providing information on scale effects of aeration and dynamic forces associated with high embankment dam protection schemes. This research should provide the confidence needed to apply overtopping protection to high head embankment dams.

• OSTI ID: 5536885
• Journal Information: Hydro Review; (United States), Journal Name: Hydro Review; (United States) Vol. 10:2; ISSN HYREE8; ISSN 0884-0385
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130300* -- Hydro Energy-- Plant Design & Operation
BUILDING MATERIALS
CEMENTS
DAMS
DISASTERS
EMBANKMENTS
EROSION
FLOODS
FLUID FLOW
HIGH-HEAD HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
LOW-HEAD HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POWER PLANTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SAFETY
US BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
US DOE
US DOI
US FERC
US ORGANIZATIONS