Construction of a Dam - Step 3
The construction methods used in building a dam depend on the type of dam being built. The first stage normally involves the removal of loose rock and rubble from the valley walls and river bed.
Concrete-faced rockfill dams require a footing (or plinth ) to be constructed around their upstream edge. The plinth is made from concrete and serves as a foundation or connection between the dam and the valley walls and floor. It has an important role in preventing water leakage around the edges of the dam. The area under the plinth is waterproofed by drilling holes and pumping cement grout into cracks in the rock. The thin concrete face on the upstream side of the dam is connected to the plinth via stainless steel and rubber seals called waterstops.
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