Question

The thin cylinder theory for designing arch dams is based only on ___________________

(a) temperature stresses

(b) ice pressures

(c) yield stresses

(d) hydrostatic water pressure

The question was posed to me in unit test.

Asked question is from Arch Dams topic in portion Arch and Buttress Dams of Irrigation Engineering

Answer 1

The correct choice is (d) hydrostatic water pressure

To explain: In thin cylinder theory analysis, the design is based only on hydrostatic water pressure. The theory does not take into account the shear and bending stresses in the arch, temperature stresses, and ice pressures which are quite important in arch dams.