Arch Dams Full Load Calculator

Posted by Dinesh on

Use this simple calculator to calculate full load on arches dam 's thrust at crown, moment at crown, thrust at abutments, moment at abutments to your Hydraulics and Waterworks problems. Analyzing circular arches of constant thickness, under uniform radial loads are calculated by using modified forms of William Cain equations.

What is Arch Dam?

An arch dam is a curved dam that carries a major part of its water load horizontally to the abutments by arch action, the part so carried being primarily dependent on the amount of curvature. Massive masonry dams, slightly curved, are usually considered as gravity dams, although some parts of the loads may be carried by arch action. Many early arch dams were built of rubble, ashlar, or cyclopean masonry. However, practically all arch dams constructed during recent years have been built of concrete. Arch principles have been used in dams since about 2000 B.C.

Thrust at crown, Moment at crown, Thrust at abutments, Moment at abutments Calculation

Formula:

H0 = pr - (pr / D) × 2φ × sin φ × ( t2 / 12 × r2)
M0 = - (pr - H0) × r × ( 1 - (sin φ / φ))
Hα = pr - (pr - H0) × cos φ
Mα = r × (pr - H0) × ((sin φ / φ) - cos φ)

where,
  • r - radius to the center line of the arch
  • p - normal radial pressure at the center line
  • t - horizontal arch thickness
  • φ - angle between the crown and abutment radii
  • D - lieu of the lengthy right-hand part
  • H0 - Thrust at crown
  • M0 - Moment at crown
  • Hα - Thrust at abutments
  • Mα - Moment at abutments