Izet Mehmetaj

BUTTRESS DAM
ANALYSIS
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CONTENTS
3.3.1 General
3.3.2 Buttress analysis and profile design

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3.3.1 General

Buttress dams: in structural concept the buttress dam consists of a

continuous upstream face supported at regular intervals by
downstream buttresses.
There are two distinct groups as representative of modern practice:
Massive buttress (diamond head)
Massive buttress (round head)
The principal advantages of the massive buttress dam:
offers greater ability to accommodate foundation deformation without damage
economy of material
a major reduction in uplift load

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contd

Massive buttress (diamond head) Massive buttress (round head)

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3.3.2 Buttress analysis and profile design

Buttress dam analysis is conducted in two phases: stability

investigations and the determination of stresses within the profile.
The structural form of the buttress dam has two important
consequences with respect to primary loads:
uplift pressures are effectively confined to the buttress head
,
the vertical component of the water load Pwv on the sloping upstream face is
very much enhanced relative to any gravity profile.
As a result, stability against overturning is a less meaningful design
criterion.

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contd

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contd
The massive buttress dam is constructed from a series of
independent units (along the axis of the dam of about 1215m),
each composed of one buttress head and a supporting buttress, or
web.
The sliding stability of one complete unit is investigated in terms of
FSS, sliding factor or, more usually, FSF, shear friction factor
(comparable with those required of a gravity profile.).
Stress analysis of a buttress unit is complex and difficult.
Finite element analyses employed to assist in determining the
optimum shape for the buttress head to avoid undesirable stress
concentrations at its junction with the web.

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 Thank you!

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