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Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Bacolor, Pampanga

CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING
Introduction
There seems to be an increasing trend in the occurrence of sediment-related
disasters worldwide due to adverse climatic changes, environmental degradation such
as deforestation, rapid urbanization, etc. This disaster is commonly induced by heavy
rains during the rainy season.
The Philippines is frequently devastated by natural disasters and among them
are due to sediment-related disasters. Several cases of rain induced lahars, debris
flows and landslides or slope failures have destroyed properties, infrastructures and
claimed human lives living in mountainous areas or at the foot of mountains or
alluvial
fans,
in
the
floodplains
and
deltas.
The country is highly prone to sediment-related disasters because it has
abundant rain during the rainy season. It has active volcanoes and some parts of the
country are mountainous. Other factors are presence of highly weathered rocks, steep
slopes, denuded slopes due to man-made practices of illegal logging, slash and burn
or kaingin practices, conversion of forest land to other crops, illegal mining, etc. In
addition, the landscape is completely altered by housing and infrastructure
development.
More human lives and properties were put at risk because settlements are
located on unstable slopes, at the foot of the mountains or alluvial fans, floodplains
and deltas for easy accessibility and economic reasons.
Many sediment-related disasters have already struck the country in the past.
These disasters commonly occur at the onset of the rainy season. Example of the
types of sediment-disasters that have devastated some parts of the country is a
Mudflow.
Mount Pinatubo, a stratovolcano, located in the island of Luzon has been in
deep slumber for almost four centuries (Tayag et al, 1994). It was not even known as
an active volcano not until its violent eruption on June 15, 1991.
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Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Bacolor, Pampanga

It was considered as one of the biggest volcanic eruption of the century and
it has created a caldera of about 2 kms in diameter (according to International Sabo
Network, http://www.sabo-int.org). It has emplaced billions of volcanic materials that
buried most of the pre-eruption drainages around the volcano. As a consequence, ash
falls, pyroclastic falls and lahars buried the surrounding areas but human casualties
were minimal. However, the damages caused by lahar are of unprecedented
magnitude and of a lingering nature. Its impact is widespread and costly to the
government.
Few years after the eruption, the government starts to proposed projects to
develop the Abacan River but most of this was mainly located at the upper part
(higher elevation; ex. Angeles) of the river. Because of these, the impact of flow of
water still needs to be monitored for a tendency of flood and for public safety
purpose.
Since most river valleys are occupied by growing populations, buildings and
homes not threatened by the usual floods may be damaged by the highest floods of a
century. Although weather forecasting and telecommunications have reduced human
losses from floods the amount of flood damage continues to increase.

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Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Bacolor, Pampanga

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Because of the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, two of constructed Sabo Dams
within the upstream part of the Abacan River were devastated and buried along the
river. These Sabo Dams are constructed supposedly to catch sediments from Mount
Pinatubo.
Although its been almost two and a half decade since the eruption of Mount
Pinatubo, danger to life due to floods and landslide within the river became one of
the objectives of the government.
The difference in elevation of Angeles and Mexico is approximately
equivalent to 30 meters based on topographic map provided by DENR (Department
of Environment and Natural Resources). This Difference gives fast rate of flow of
water although its water level (as recorded by PRFFWC, Pampanga River Flood
forecasting and Weather Center) is very low. This rate is also the cause of several
soil eruptions within the upper part of the river thus brings danger to life of both
residents residing at that portion and at the downstream part in form of flash flood
since discharge water will be mixed with volume of sediments.
The volume capacity of the river in a no flow form is approximately
equivalent to only 1% to 16% of its total capacity (taken by comparing the critical
area solved from discharge data given by PRFFWC to the actual area of the river we
surveyed). This data only shows that about 84% - 99% of its total capacity which
may be used for irrigation purpose is being waste.

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Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Bacolor, Pampanga

Since water is not impounded within the channel, it directly affects the
flooding of the lower part of Mexico thus bring severe flooding to the lower part of
the municipality (in accordance with the flooding map of PRFFWC).
SPECIFIC PROBLEMS
1. Will the proposed Dam be efficient for flood control?
2. Will the flow of the water within the river be sufficient to impound such
volume that can be use for irrigation purposes?

GENERAL OBJECTIVE
The general objective of this study is to evaluate and design the Dam
structure for a countable strength so to avoid possible future failures on the
structure. Furthermore, this study will evaluate the safety of the structure and thus
will provide adequate adjustments to the design as when required.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. To determine the capability of the structure to resist Sliding and Overturning
moments.
2. To determine the required area for discharge of excess water while
maintaining its level within the upstream part of the dam.
3. To sufficiently determine the required numbers of concrete culverts (not
ready made culverts) and diameter of each to sufficiently distribute water
even under low discharge.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SUDY

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Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Bacolor, Pampanga

For thousands of years, dams have been used for different purposes such as
impounding water. This is the essential purpose of over two-thirds of all large and
small dams, and is generally used for irrigation. With that capability of dams we are
aiming:
1. To produce an alternative source of water that can irrigate hectares of
agricultural lands.
2. To provide an effective flood control system.
3. To comply with the development plans of the government to the river.
4. To provide a safe and accessible alternative navigation for public used.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

Our study is focused on the design and construction of the Dam structure
including its soil protection. Although one of the major objectives of our proposal is
to provide water for irrigation used, networking of this distributed water is not part of

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Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Bacolor, Pampanga

the study. Furthermore, development of the downstream part the Dam for recreational
activity area is also excluded although sighted within this proposal.
Concreting of roads adjacent to river is not part of the design, but design of
navigation road within the dam will be shown though it will not be emphasized.
Though our proposing dam consists of new technologies and machineries,
technical part of it such as detailed parts and voltage, etc., will not be included.
Installation and
When it comes to machineries and equipments to be used, installation and
operation of each will be shown.

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Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Bacolor, Pampanga

CONEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

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Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Bacolor, Pampanga

ASSUMPTIONS
1. Within the design, weight of water will be used to help the structure to resist
overturning moment. This can be successfully done by inclining the face of
the dam and letting some water to act as a vertical load helping the weight of
dam plus strength of reinforcement to resist the force of water.
2. Gate of the dam will be analyzed as a slab since gate is just like a reinforced
flat slab.
3. Grout-curtain will be provided to reduce seepage and avoid failure within the
foundation of the structure.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. Environmental Degradation 2. Deforestation,
3. Rapid Urbanization 4. Caldera
5. Ash Falls
6. Pyroclastic Falls
7. Lahars
8. Weathered Rocks
9. Kaingin
10. Mudflow
11. Stratovolcano,
12. Deep Slumber
13. Alluvial Fans
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Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Bacolor, Pampanga

14. Floodplains
15. Deltas
16. Sabo Dams
17. DENR
18. PRFFWC
19. Downstream
20. Upstream
21. Irrigation
22. Channel
23. Flood Control
24. Sliding
25. Overturning moments
26. Culvert
27. Factor of Safety
28. Impounding Dam
29. Grout Curtain 30. Spillway
31. Discharge
32. Recreational Activity Area -

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Republic of the Philippines

DON HONORIO VENTURA TECHNOLOGICAL STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Architecture
Bacolor, Pampanga

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

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