Title: Utilising 3D solid modelling tools for simplified designing of a small concrete gravity dam

Authors: Dimitrios Myronidis; Dimitrios G. Fotakis

Addresses: School of Forestry and Natural Environment, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus 54124, P.O. Box 268, Thessaloniki, Greece ' Faculty of Technical Sciences, Biosense Center, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovica 5, Novisad, 21000, Serbia

Abstract: Small concrete gravity dams play a dominant role in controlling the sediment production and flood phenomena at torrential streams. Since 1931, the Greek Forest Service has established hundreds dams of such type in the mountain regions all over the country with practically zero failures. The objective of this article is to illustrate a 3D solid modelling procedure which could be employed on different computer aid design software so as to accomplish a simplified designing of a small concrete gravity dam with structural height and length of 4.2m and 13.14m respectively based on the Greek Forest Service guidelines. Furthermore, the material quantities, which are necessary for the dam's construction, are easily calculated by using the same techniques. The concrete and excavation volumes, which are necessary for the dam's construction, are estimated to 75.43m³ and 27.42m³ respectively. Although the dam designing guidelines may differ among countries, the reader can easily utilise 3D solid modelling tools and modify the gravity dam design according to its country standards.

Keywords: concrete gravity dams; CAD; computer aided design; 3D modelling; solid modelling; construction materials; AutoCAD; dam design; small gravity dams; sediment control; flooding; torrential streams; Greece; mountain regions; material quantities; dam construction.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSAMI.2015.075030

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Management and Informatics, 2015 Vol.1 No.4, pp.351 - 357

Received: 22 Jan 2015
Accepted: 12 Mar 2015
Published online: 01 Mar 2016 *

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