Soil Loosening of the Contact Zone Under the First Column of Tall Concrete Dams

Abstract

The cause of tensile stresses in the contact zone under the first column, as well as the effect of dam static behavior on the seasonal variation of seepage regime parameters in the bed are found based on long-term structural observations on the state of tall gravity dams during their construction and operation. An approach of drain holes to the upstream face is shown to be an effective measure of reducing the backpressure at the foot of the dam.