Introduction
Dam designs may be divided into three main types: gravity structures relying on their weight for stability, arched structures using the abutment reaction forces, and buttress dams. Historically, the first dams were earthfill and rockfill embankments, for example, Sadd-El-Kaffara (Egypt BC 2800–2600), Marib (Yemen BC 750), Panda Wewa (Sri Lanka BC 400–300), Cornalvo (Spain AD 150–200). Masonry gravity dams were built at sites where good quality stones were available, for example, Khosr river (Irak BC 694), Al-Harbaqa (Syria AD 132), Kasserine (Tunisia AD 100–200). Note that concrete and stone masonry dams are commonly called “gravity dams.” Sometimes, the dam wall was reinforced by masonry buttresses, for example, Alcantarilla (Spain BC 200–100), Proserpina (Spain AD 130). Later designs included arch dams, relying on the abutment reaction forces to resist the resulting water pressure force. A related design is the multiple-arch buttress dam, consisting of a series of arches...
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the help and assistance of a large number of people, including : the Australian Railway Historical Society, Warwick section; Mr P. Brixie, Warwick QLD; Mr and Mrs J. Chanson, Paris, France; Ms Chou Y.H., Brisbane QLD; Mr B.S.C. Harper, University of Melbourne VIC; Mr Michael N. Chrimes, Librarian, Institution of Civil Engineers, London, UK; Mr I. Holt, Lithgow Historical Society NSW; Professor C. O’Connor, Brisbane QLD; Mr J.L. Paillet, CNRS-IRAA, France; Queensland Railways, Historical Centre QLD; Mr Michael Robertson, Warwick QLD; Mr P. Royet, Cemagref, Aix-en-Provence, France; Professor R.L. Whitmore, Brisbane QLD.
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Chanson, H., James, D.P. (2012). Arch Dams, Development from Cut-Stone Arches to Modern Design. In: Bengtsson, L., Herschy, R.W., Fairbridge, R.W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Lakes and Reservoirs. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4410-6_45
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