Calculating Water Dam Forces and Stress for Building a Durable Dam

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculations and considerations involved in building a durable dam, focusing on the forces exerted by water, stress distribution within the dam structure, and the necessary parameters for design. It includes both theoretical and practical aspects of dam construction.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the force exerted by water on the dam is uniform from the surface to the bottom and seeks methods for calculating this force at specific points.
  • Another participant suggests that the variables needed for calculations include water height and volume, but does not specify further.
  • There is inquiry about which parts of the dam experience the most and least stress, with no definitive answers provided.
  • Participants discuss the calculations necessary for designing a dam that can withstand water pressure, including considerations of dam thickness and height.
  • Further questions are raised about the relationship between the dimensions of a second dam and its ability to prevent failure of the first dam, including optimal water height and distance between the two dams.
  • One participant provides the formula for pressure as p=mgh, which is later corrected to p=ρgh, indicating a focus on density rather than mass.
  • Clarification is sought regarding the meaning of the variables in the pressure formula, particularly whether mass refers to the mass of water.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the calculations and parameters necessary for dam design, with no consensus reached on the specific methods or formulas to be used.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of detailed assumptions about water properties, structural materials, and environmental factors that may affect dam design. The discussion does not resolve the mathematical steps necessary for the calculations proposed.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in civil engineering, hydrology, or structural design may find the discussion relevant, particularly those exploring the mechanics of dam construction and water pressure effects.

pheonixchin
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Hi

I have questions about building a dam. (a simple dam)

Part1
please see picture below

1. Will the force (red arrow) that water exert on the dam equal from the surface till the bottom? If yes then how can I calculate the force exert on the dam?
If not then how can I calculate the force exert on the dam at a specific point?

2. What variables will I need to know in order to calculate? water height? , volume of water?
3. Which part of the dam is subjected to most stress
4. Which part of the dam is subjected to least stress
5. What calculation and information do I need in order to build a dam that can withstand the water (roughly)? e.g. dam thickness, dam height?


http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/7277/dam1.png



Part2

please see picture below

1. Will the knowledge from part 1 sufficient to let me calculate how high and wide of water I need in the second dam(smaller dam) in order to prevent the first dam from failing?
2. What is the optimum high of water I need in second dam and the optimum distance I need in the second dam in order to prevent the first dam from failing?
3. Is it better to have more distance between the two dam and less water height or more water height and less distance between the dam?


http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/8016/dam2x.png

Thank you very much
 
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All you need for pressure is p=mgh

To actually design a dam? That can't be explained in an internet forum thread.
 
p=mgh?

m=mass?

mass of water?

could you please clarify?

or you mean P=ρgh?
 
Dang, sorry - that should be p=ρgh... that's rho. Density.
 

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