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 this type 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. The book presents many case studies of such 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;

presents by using asphalt as an impervious core, there is no concern about internal erosion which is a main concern for the earth core option;

discusses material selection and mix design for hydraulic asphalt concrete;

discusses suitability testing and asphalt concrete mix improvements and optimization by using additives;

presents using 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, practicing engineers, civil engineering contractors, equipment suppliers, and asphalt producers.