The Beaver Damn in Progress

**Bambi** · 10-18-2009, 07:13 PM

because the arch pushes the water to the sides. this results in the forces compressing the dam in on its own structure which makes it stronger.

ok?

**Mad Aussie** · 10-18-2009, 07:46 PM

sounds kinda feasible. Although I'm not sure how water, that levels itself, will apply more pressure to the outsides of the dam.

**Mad Aussie** · 10-18-2009, 07:50 PM

Just had a quick read up and understand this better now.

Around here ... we don't have hydroelectric dams built on rivers which obviously have flowing water currents.

The dams around here are built on man made lakes for the purpose of drinking water supply to humans. Many of these are not 'Arch' dams and are simply straight across. The same forces do not come into play on these dams.

**zenon5940** · 10-18-2009, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by Mad Aussie

I didn't know this? I wonder how that works?

Well, it would be a long explanation and my command of the English language is not that good so... Suffice it to say that because of the curve it will not tip over so easily. As an experiment just take a band of paper say 2mm wide and try to make it stand on its edge... if it is curved you will have no problem doing it...

Does this help you see why the curves ?

**Mad Aussie** · 10-18-2009, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by zenon5940

Well, it would be a long explanation and my command of the English language is not that good so... Suffice it to say that because of the curve it will not tip over so easily. As an experiment just take a band of paper say 2mm wide and try to make it stand on its edge... if it is curved you will have no problem doing it...

Does this help you see why the curves ?

That's different from what I read about it ... BUT also makes perfect sense. We've all bent something to make it stand before I'm sure so that principle is easy to understand

English isn't your primary language?? I'd have never known! Your English is great!

**Greg_Nuspel** · 10-18-2009, 09:01 PM

It's just like an arch only on it's side. The ancient Roman roads and aqueducts are great for these. Straight dams are never that high and actually thicker to stand the pressure.

**zenon5940** · 10-18-2009, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by Mad Aussie

English isn't your primary language?? I'd have never known! Your English is great!

Well thanks MA for your kind comment. My primary language is French but I try hard to speak and write English so it is understood. Very important here in Canada to speak some English.

Thanks again.

**Mad Aussie** · 10-18-2009, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by zenon5940

Well thanks MA for your kind comment. My primary language is French but I try hard to speak and write English so it is understood. Very important here in Canada to speak some English.

Thanks again.

Je t'en pris

**Bambi** · 10-18-2009, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by Mad Aussie

Just had a quick read up and understand this better now.

Around here ... we don't have hydroelectric dams built on rivers which obviously have flowing water currents.

The dams around here are built on man made lakes for the purpose of drinking water supply to humans. Many of these are not 'Arch' dams and are simply straight across. The same forces do not come into play on these dams.

those would be the gravity dams. they are constructed such that the force of the water pushes down on the structure.