Earth dams are embankment-type dams made of compacted earth, rock, and clay. They are cost-effective and can be designed with drainage layers, but can also be a safety concern if poorly engineered. Routine inspection and maintenance are necessary. They can be used for hydroelectric power, water supply, and flood control.
An earth dam is a dam constructed with highly compacted earth. This dam is classified as an embankment type of dam, being constructed in the shape of an embankment or wedge blocking a stream. These dams have been built by various human societies for centuries and continue to be produced in certain regions of the world when they seem suitable for their intended use and location.
Earth dams can be very cost-effective to build, which makes them attractive in some regions of the world. They can be made from local materials, reducing the expense of acquiring and transporting materials to the dam site. In addition to earth, dams often also contain rock and may be filled with a rock core. Clay is another building material used in earth dams.
An earth dam design can be solid and coherent throughout, or it can include layers of material. Layered materials can create an avenue for drainage designed to relieve pressure in an emergency. The weight of the dam as a whole creates an airtight seal that secures the bottom and sides of the dam, and the water pressure behind the dam can also act to seal the dam in place.
Earth dams can be a safety concern. If the earth dam is overrun, it can erode the dam, making it weak and prone to failure. Repeated overloads can eventually result in a catastrophic dam collapse. Earth dams can also experience seepage and structural failure caused by poor engineering and planning. If an earth dam fails, the water behind it will be released rapidly, and the force of the water can be highly destructive.
An earth dam, like other types of dams, benefits from routine inspection and maintenance. Inspections ensure that any problems with the dam are identified at an early stage, so they can be addressed before the dam fails. Maintenance keeps the dam in good shape, reducing the risk of a catastrophic failure that could lead to human and financial loss in the communities located beneath the dam.
Earth dams can be used in hydroelectric power generation, holding water in a reservoir to secure water supply, and in flood control. Numerous projects can be used, and software programs designed for earth dam engineering can be used to test possible scenarios to confirm that the earth dam will be safe when completed.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
