Scientific base and reality for size selection of concrete blocks in concrete gravity dam

Abstract

    Partition and size of concrete blocks is a fundamental issue in the construction of bulk concrete structures. Especially for up to tens meters wide and hundreds meters high concrete gravity dams, the total concrete work expected to be placed (poured or pumped in) can reach tens of thousands to millions m3 of fresh concrete. Dams are often designed into several chambers linked by joints.

    Despite the split, each chamber can average thousands of m3 of concrete, thus can not be constructed continuously. As a rule of thumb, it is usually divided into suitable-sized units of concrete basing on fresh concrete productivity, progress of the project and the requirement of temperature controlling during construction. Dimensions selection of concrete blocks is economically and technically essential in the construction of a gravity dam. The increase in the block size will reduce construction time, costs of formwork installation and block-joints treatment.