Technology

Roller Compacted Concrete Dams

Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) was first used as the main construction material for a large mass gravity dam in 1982, since when it has gained universal acceptance.  With more than 400 major RCC dams completed to date, including several arches, RCC technology is now considered suitable for the construction of dams of over 200 m in height.  Dr Quentin Shaw, Director Dams & Hydro’s involvement to date specifically in RCC dams totals 21 years and he has unique experience in RCC arch/gravity dams.  Quentin is approved for the design and construction supervision of the largest category of dams in South Africa & has acted as an expert/specialist in the fields of RCC, concrete and arch dams on major international projects.

ARQ was also responsible for preparation of the South African RCC specification and has been acknowledged by the SA Department of Water Affairs as “.. the recognized experts in the field of Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) dams in the private sector in South Africa”

Pictures are of:

• Wadi Dayqah Dam, Quriyat, Sultanate of Oman. The dam comprises a 75 m high RCC gravity structure, with a crest length of approximately 380 m, and a 45 m high clay core rockfill saddle embankment, with a crest length of approximately 340 m.
• Trung Son HEPP, Ma River, Co Me village, Trung Son Commune, Quan Hoa District, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. A 85 high RCC gravity dam structure with crest length of 513 m and comprising approximately 785 000 m³ RCC.