Asphalt Core Embankment Dams

Dams are built for several purposes, e.g., water supply, irrigation, hydropower production, or flood control. The main categories are concrete dams and embankment dams, but inside each of these two main general categories, there are several different types. Asphalt Core Embankment Dams focusses on the design and construction of these types of dams. Asphalt core embankment dams are gaining in popularity, as their recorded field performance is excellent, they are economically very competitive, and the construction period may be shortened compared to other types of embankment dams. This book presents several case studies of dams that have been successfully built and been in service for many years, and:

• introduces the concept of using asphalt concrete core rather than earth core or upstream facing;
• points out there is no concern about internal erosion when using hydraulic asphalt concrete in the core;
• discusses material selection and mix design for hydraulic asphalt concrete to achieve flexibility and ductility;
• discusses suitability testing and asphalt concrete mix improvements and optimization by using additives;
• presents the use of triaxial tests, tension tests, and bending tests to study cracking resistance and potential self-healing;
• discusses the use of modern construction equipment and field quality control;
• shows that asphalt core dams may reduce the construction period compared to other options; and
• treats earthquake resistance of this type of dams.

The authors have built on decades of experience with the design and construction, construction control, and research and development for asphalt core embankment dams. Asphalt Core Embankment Dams is aimed at engineering students, practising engineers, civil engineering contractors, equipment suppliers, and asphalt producers.