Placement of concrete in massive hydraulic structures by using precast separating elements

Conclusions

• 1. The method proposed here for dividing a structure into blocks by means of precast separating elements successfully solves the problem of reducing the high temperature stresses in the concrete during the construction period and permits carrying out the concreting operations in a continuous manner on the entire width of the structure, from the upstream to the downstream ends.

• 2. When this method is used, a) the systematic placement of the concrete mix in a large portion of the structure is assured; b) the necessity to place high blocks is eliminated, and the temperature regimen is thus more uniform; c) the static action of the structure is improved, and the transfer of the shearing forces is assured, even if no grouting is applied; d) the importance of the grouting work is lessened because of the considerable simplification of the required grouting installations; in many cases the grouting may be applied only partially; d) there is the possibility of widely using special equipment for leveling and compacting the concrete.

• 3. The economy of the method proposed here is governed by the increased mechanization of the concrete placing work, by the greater reliability of the structure, and also by the possibility, in this connection, of reducing the length of the dam.