Question

In an arch dam, the extrados curve refer to the arch rings corresponding to the ____________________

(a) the upstream face of the dam

(b) downstream face of the dam

(c) side face of the dam

(d) either upstream or downstream face of the dam

I have been asked this question in final exam.

The origin of the question is Arch Dams topic in division Arch and Buttress Dams of Irrigation Engineering

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) the upstream face of the dam

To elaborate: The arch rings corresponding to the upstream face is called the extrados curve. The arch rings corresponding to the downstream face are the intrados curve.