Question

When the reservoir is empty, the single force acting on it is the self-weight of the dam which acts at a distance of ____________

(a) B/2 from the heel

(b) B/6 from the heel

(c) B/3 from the heel

(d) B/4 from the heel

I had been asked this question by my college director while I was bunking the class.

This key question is from Gravity Method topic in portion Gravity Dam Design and Construction of Irrigation Engineering

Answer 1

The correct answer is (c) B/3 from the heel

The explanation is: The only single force on the dam when the reservoir is empty is the self-weight of the dam acting at a distance of B/3 from the heel. It provides maximum possible stabilizing moment about the toe without causing tension.