When a reservoir is at full capacity, maximum compressive stress in a gravity dam occurs at ___________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: A. At the toe
Explanation
When a reservoir is full, the maximum compressive stress in a gravity dam occurs at the downstream toe. Water pressure creates an overturning moment shifting resultant forces toward the downstream face. High compressive stresses at the toe must not exceed allowable bearing capacity of foundation rock. Gravity dams transfer immense water loads safely to foundation rock through base contact areas. Reservoir full conditions create maximum normal compressive stress at the downstream toe. Uplift pressure reduces effective dead weight resistance, increasing toe stress concentrations.
Dam engineering analyses rigorously check toe stresses to prevent material crushing failures. Foundation grouting and drainage curtains help reduce uplift pressures and lower toe stresses. Long-term structural safety monitoring tracks foundation deformation and stress distributions. Option B experiences maximum compressive stress when the reservoir is completely empty. Option C represents the middle third core zone where resultant forces ideally remain contained. Option D is incorrect because compressive stress varies non-uniformly across the base profile.
- Subject
- Agriculture
- Category
- Agriculture
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
Related questions
Q1. When atmospheric air is fully saturated with vapor, the pressure exerted by this wet air mass is designated as ____________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: B. Saturation pressure
Saturation pressure is the pressure exerted by water vapor when air is fully saturated. At this equilibrium state, evaporation and condensation rates of water molecules balance out. Temperature directly controls the satu...
Q2. When the high flood level of a drain is safely below the canal bed so drainage water flows freely under gravity, this structure is called ___________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: A. Aqueduct
An aqueduct carries an irrigation canal safely above a natural drainage channel. This cross-drainage structure is used when the high flood level of the drain remains below canal bed. Gravity flow allows the canal water t...
Q3. When a canal's FSL is well below the drain invert, allowing free gravity drainage, the structure is termed _____________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: C. Super-passage
A super-passage carries a natural drainage channel safely above an irrigation canal. This structure is selected when the canal full supply level lies well below the drain invert. Drainage water flows freely by gravity ac...
Q4. When weir weight balances the uplift pressure generated by seeping water beneath the bed, it is known as ___________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: C. Gravity weir
A gravity weir is designed so that its dead weight safely counteracts and balances uplift pressure. Seeping water beneath the weir creates upward hydrostatic pressure tending to lift the structure. Massive masonry or con...
Q5. Weathering is defined as _______________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: C. Both a & b
Weathering involves both destructive breakdown processes and constructive soil formation mechanisms. Disintegration and chemical decomposition destroy parent rocks, while constructive processes build fertile soils. Both...
Q6. Weep holes are incorporated into canal linings in order to _____________________?
Show answer Hide answer
Answer: D. Have drainage facility
Weep holes are drainage openings installed in canal linings and retaining walls to relieve hydrostatic uplift pressure. Allowing trapped groundwater to escape prevents dangerous backpressures from cracking or buckling co...