What are the types of Dam?

by Team Goseeko 31/05/2021

Various types of dams are classified according to their purpose, material, hydraulic action and structural action.

1.Types of dam based on Purpose:

Following are the various types of dam based on purpose:

Storage dam: We construct these dam to store the water in rainy season.
Coffer dam: We construct these dam as temporary structure in the river or lake.
Debris dam: We construct these dams to avoid the flow of debris along with rain water.
Diversion dam: We construct these type of dam to divert the flow of water.
Detention dam: We construct these type of dams in case of excessive flood.

2.Types of dam based on Material:

Following are the various types of dam based on purpose:

3.Types of dam based on Hydraulic action:

Following are the various types of dam based on hydraulic action:

Overflow dam: The dam in which we permit surplus water to pass over the crest of the spillway.
Non-overflow dam: The dam in which we do not permit surplus water to pass over the crest of the spillway.

4.Types of dam based on Structural action:

Following are the various types of dam based on structural action:

Gravity dam: The dam due to its own weight resists the water pressure and other forces is called gravity dam.
Earth dam: The dam made in earth resists the forces exerted upon it mainly because of shear strength of soil is called as Earth dam.
Rockfill dam: The dam made in rock fragments and large size boulders with an impervious membrane placed on the rockfill on its upstream side is called as rockfill dam.
Timber dam: The dam which consists of the framework made in timber with a facing of timber planks is called as timber dam.
Steel dam: The dam which consists of a steel framework with a skin plate on its upstream face is called steel dam.

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