Technology

Rubble Masonry Concrete Dams

Rubble Masonry Concrete (RMC) allows construction of large dams to have a cost of around 60% less than any other alternative dam construction type. A significant secondary benefit achieved from RMC construction is the employment and skills development of low skilled labour.

ARQ has seen successful performances of a number of these dams during the passage of several significant floods which bears testament to the durability and effectiveness of rubble masonry concrete for the construction of major dams.

Pictures are of

• Port St John’s Dam in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa.  The Port St Johns Dam is a 23m high Rubble Masonry Arch (RMC) dam with a storage capacity of 100 000m³ 
• Mndwaka Dam in Amathole District, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Construction of the 32 m arch-buttress dam started in April 2012 and completion is scheduled for middle of 2015.