Pier dam
A pier dam is a type of barrier structure for a dam . It usually consists of concrete. Thanks to the pillars, less building material is required compared to pure gravity dams.
Construction
Pier dams are so-called "dissolved dams". They consist of pillars with a triangular cross-section with free space between the pillars and a sloping wall on the water side. The loads from the horizontal water pressure are transferred through the wall and the pillars into the subsoil. The load on the subsoil is relatively high due to the small footprint, which is why a sufficiently load-bearing subsoil is required under the pillar foundations.
Depending on the design of the pillars and the water-side wall as a plate or vault, a distinction is made:
- Pier head dam
- Hollow pier dam
- Pillar dam wall
- Pillar vault wall
Examples
- Oleftalsperre (Eifel)
- Linachtalsperre (Black Forest)
- Lago di Lucendro (Switzerland)
- Bütgenbacher Dam (Belgium)
- Fláje dam (Czech Republic)
