PROFILE OF HIGH MASONRY GRAVITY DAM

  • Mr. G. Molesworth gave the following formulae for fixing.
  • These formulae are applicable for masonry gravity dams only.

\[x= \sqrt{\frac{1.76y^{3}}{p_{a+1.06y}}}\]

Fig. 13.11. Molesworth profile.

But value of x should not exceed y ρ at any cost

\[Z= \frac{y}{36.5p_{a}}\]

where

  • x = D/S offset from the vertical line also known as axis of the dam at a depth y below the maximum reservoir level.
  • Z = U/S offset from the vertical line at a depth y metres.
  • b1 = Base width of the dam at 4 h below the full reservoir level.
  • a = Thickness of the dam at the full reservoir level. It is taken as 0.4 b1.
  • pa = Allowable compressive stress for masonry in t/m2, the value of which may vary between 77 to 110 t/m2.