Describe the typical construction materials used for an earth-fill dam and their properties.
Earth-fill dams are constructed using compacted soil or other granular materials. The core is typically made of a low-permeability material, such as clay, to prevent seepage. The primary building materials are several kinds of soil, including sand, gravel, and clay. To reduce water ingress and offer stability, these are layered and compressed.
Coarser materials are usually found in the outer layers for strength and longevity. Earth-fill dams are versatile and can be employed in a range of locations due to their flexibility to adapt to different foundation conditions. But the quality and compaction of the soil are important in their construction, and they require regular maintenance to address issues like seepage and erosion.
How does a roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam differ from a conventional concrete dam?
What are the various types of diversion structures commonly used in irrigation?
List major irrigation projects in India and describe their significance.
How can permeable foundations affect the stability of weirs?
What are the common materials used for constructing headworks?
What is under-reinforcement of a beam?
How do you calculate the runoff coefficient for a given area?
Explain the stress-strain behavior of concrete in RCC.
How do sediment basins or traps function in an irrigation system?
What tools are used for measuring rainfall and runoff?
What is land reclamation and why is it important?
