Abstract
Empingham Dam is an earthfill embankment 37 m high, 1200 m long. The dam foundation is Upper Lias clay extensively sheared and brecciated by valley bulging and periglacial disturbance. The weak foundation was the controlling factor in design and made a wide cross-section with extensive berms necessary. Determination of the reliable strength of the foundation was difficult and was to be confirmed at full scale by a trial bank placed early in construction and incorporated within the dam. The tender design allowed for the uncertain strength by indicating a range of dam volumes corresponding to the likely range of foundation strength values. Various measures, including 10 800 vertical sand drains and zoning of fills incorporating an inclined core, were utilized to minimize the volume of earthfill required. The bulk of the 5 Mm3 of fill was Upper Lias clay excavated from borrow pits upstream of the dam, and was placed over three summer seasons. The performance of the dam is monitored by a comprehensive range of instruments, including a movement monitoring system. Finite-element methods were used to predict early movements. The instrumentation records show the behaviour of the dam to be satisfactory.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
