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USE OF THE SLOPED LAYER METHOD FOR BONDED JOINTS ON TANNUR RCC DAM, JORDAN

USE OF THE SLOPED LAYER METHOD FOR BONDED JOINTS ON TANNUR


RCC DAM, JORDAN
Tony Qiu1 and Brian A. Forbes2

ABSTRACT
The RCC design review and construction phase services of the 60m high Tannur Dam in Jordan was carried
out by GHD, Australia.
The 220,000m3 of RCC was placed during February-December 2000; the change to the sloped layer method
was made once the dam reached 15m height. It produced a 50% increase in placing rate and a considerable
saving in costs.
The use of the method is the first known use outside of China, where it was developed during the
construction of the 130m high Jiangya Dam in 1997-8. The sloping of the 300mm thick layers of RCC across
the dam from bank to bank at grades between 5-8% ensures subsequent layers of RCC can be placed within
the initial set time of the lower layer and hence the RCC is monolithic across the lift joint.
This paper briefly describes the project in Jordan and then gives specific details of the use of the sloped
layer method. Typical results from the quality control testing during placement and subsequent coring and
testing of the lift joints are also provided. The benefits of its use in adverse climatic conditions, such as
extreme heat or rainfall and the ways it can be integrated with forming the upstream-downstream slope are
also discussed.
The sloped layer method is a significant advancement, particularly for large structures, where lift joint
cohesion, tensile resistance and RCC placing rates are vitally important.

1 Introduction The main construction contractor was the joint


venture of BEC Freres and Camperon Bermard of
Tannur Dam is a 60m high, 250m long Roller France, with Al-Jafar, the locally based sub-
Compacted Concrete (RCC) gravity dam with a contractor.
reservoir capacity of 17 million cubic metres. It is
located in Jordan on the Wadi Al Hasa about
30km east of the Dead Sea and 50km south of the 2 Project Description
town of Karak. The dam provides irrigation water
to the Southern Ghors Irrigation Scheme and The location, typical section and layout of the
industrial water for the local area. dam are shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
The dam is located in a highly seismic area near
The owner of the dam is the Jordan Valley
the Dead Sea Fault and founded on interbedded
Authority of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation,
marls and limestone of only moderate strength.
Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan. The construction
contract was awarded in February 1999. RCC Total RCC volume 220,000m3 was placed during
placing began in January 2000 and was completed January and December 2000. RCC mixes began
in December 2000. Construction of the dam was with a 125kg/m3 OPC and 75kg/m3 pozzolan
completed in 2001. It is the first RCC dam in blend; adjustments were made as construction
Middle East. proceeded and representative results became
available. The last 50 percent of the RCC to be
Design review and modifications, construction
phase services and contract administration for
the Tannur Dam were carried out by a joint venture
of Mott MacDonald, UK and GHD, Australia 1
in association with the Consulting Senior Dams Engineer, GHD
2
Engineering Centre (CEC) of Jordan. GHD were Manager, Dams Engineering, GHD
responsible for RCC aspects of the project.

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USE OF THE SLOPED LAYER METHOD FOR BONDED JOINTS ON TANNUR RCC DAM, JORDAN

Figure 1 – Locality plan Figure 2 – Typical Dam cross-section

Figure 3 – Tannur Dam layout


placed used a 120/50kg/m3 blend. Daratard P2 retarder extended the workable life and reduced
retarder was used in the RCC mix, and a dose rate the free water content of the mix for the same
of 1 l/m3 was used throughout the construction workability, with the lower water/cement (W/C)
based on earlier laboratory RCC trial studies. The ratio giving a higher cementitious efficiency.

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USE OF THE SLOPED LAYER METHOD FOR BONDED JOINTS ON TANNUR RCC DAM, JORDAN

RCC was transported from the mixing plant to the horizontal joints between layers. The adhesion
dam wall via a system of Rotec conveyors and between layers of RCC is produced by two
discharged with a "swinger". The conveyors were mechanisms, cementitious bond and penetration
relocated progressively as the dam wall rose. The of aggregate from the new layer into the surface
RCC was transported from the swinger to the of the previously placed layer. Layer joints always
dumping point by three-25 tonne Volvo A25C exhibit lower tensile strength, shear strength and
6WD dump trucks. They were fitted with smooth impermeability than the RCC. This is due to
profile tyres which helped to minimise damage to ageing of lift surface concrete, tendency for
fresh RCC surfaces. Chutes were welded to the segregation of the overlying RCC at the joint and
sides of the tray to prevent spillage as the swinger the potential for lower rolled density at depth.
was moved from the full truck to the empty one
In order to achieve homogeneous, monolithic
alongside.
RCC across a layer joint the overlying layer must
Grout enriched RCC (GE-RCC) was used in all be placed within the initial set time of the lower
the upstream face, downstream steps including the layer. It is impossible to achieve the time frame
180m wide stepped spillway section, gallery required to place a horizontal layer from one
walls, waterstop encasement and the interface abutment across the other in major dams.
between the RCC and limestone rock abutments.
The Sloped Layer Method is used to construct lifts
of multiple layers. RCC is placed in layers
approximately 300mm thick for a total lift
3 Development and thickness of 3 to 4m. At Tannur Dam 1.2m lifts
Introduction of The Sloped were used. With the Sloped Layer Method, each
Layer Method layer is placed at an inclination of approximately
1:10 to 1:20 instead of the typical horizontal
The Sloped Layer Method (SLM) of placing RCC orientation. The length of the slope depends on
was first developed and adopted in Jiangya Dam the plant capacity and production rate with typical
in China (Forbes, 1999). A number of projects in slope lengths of 20 to 40m. A sloped layer is
China, such as Mianhuatan and Dachaoshan dams, placed over the full width of the placement and
adopted the sloped layer method after successful the layers progress the full length of the
application of SLM in Jiangya Dam. placement. The primary goal of this method is to
A detailed development and the procedure of the minimise the exposure of fresh RCC lift until it is
Sloped Layer Method has been described by covered with the next sloped layer. Bedding
Forbes (2002). mortar is placed on the mature RCC lift surface
prior to placing the next lift. The Sloped Layer
The interest in RCC dams is driven by economic Method is shown in Figure 4.
considerations and also where speed of
construction is an important element. However Placing a sloped layer generally involves
this often compromises quality and water commencing at the downstream face and moving
tightness, as shown by many RCC dams. A across to the upstream face (or visa versa),
significant difference between a conventionally working on the full height of the layer and
placed concrete dam and a roller compacted compacting up-down slope. At lower elevations,
concrete dam are the number of horizontal where the sloped layer is wide enough, the
construction joints. Horizontal joints are placement area can be roughly divided into sub
inevitable in RCC dams because of the layered areas, placing commencing on the downstream (or
method of construction. Each layer is the upstream) third and progressing through the
thickness of material compacted. In order to central and upstream thirds with the placing –
achieve required compacted densities by roller spreading – compacting operations occurring
compaction, RCC layer thickness is typically accordingly.
maintained at 0.3m, whilst for internally vibrated Using this method the final clean up and surface
conventional concrete, layers are typically 1.5m, preparation of the lower lift, including application
i.e. 5 times more layer joints occur with RCC. of bedding mortar, is restricted to a narrow strip
The performance of an RCC dam will almost along the toe of the sloped layer. The width of the
entirely be dictated by the performance of the strip varies with the slope.

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USE OF THE SLOPED LAYER METHOD FOR BONDED JOINTS ON TANNUR RCC DAM, JORDAN

Figure 4 – Sloped Layer Method


In addition to improving lift joint quality, the this edge could not be covered within one hour.
sloped layer method significantly reduces the This ensured that all RCC was compacted while
associated works such as surface preparation, still fresh. The advancing edge of the strip was
curing and protection of RCC surface. Formwork treated as a fresh joint with removal of any
can be lifted earlier and utilised more effectively. segregated RCC and treatment with bedding
mortar before covering with RCC. The position of
The sloped layer method has been shown to work
these fresh construction joints normal to the dam
well with the use of GE-RCC for facing the
axis varied from layer to layer to avoid any
upstream and downstream faces of the dam and
possibility of a weakness in the dam.
connection of the RCC to the rock abutments. In
particular RCC progress is not delayed whilst One problem, which arose from the use of trucks
awaiting delivery and placing of conventional as opposed to a full conveyor system, was the
concrete facing. close out of each layer at the loading point. This
area became contaminated from spillage of RCC
The upstream crossfall of 2-3% adopted in placing
during loading operations and from the tyres of
the traditional ‘horizontal’ RCC layers for
the equipment. The adopted system was to clean
drainage purposes, can be retained for the sloped
this area every second lift and to fill it with two
layer methods.
RCC layers placed in quick succession directly
from the swinger.
4 Application of Sloped Layer This horizontal layer approach involved very
Method in Tannur Dam extensive lift joint cleanup operations and
attendant high costs in bedding mortar.
The construction of Tannur Dam commenced in
To overcome these problems and at the suggestion
the traditional ‘horizontal’ RCC lift method
of GHD, the Contractor introduced the Slope
(which included a mild upstream crossfall) until a
Layer Method of placing from Layer 51 and
height of 15m was reached. The original
continued through to the final layers at the non
placement system was a series of 15m wide strips,
overflow crest and spillway weir where the width
placed from downstream to upstream in 6m
had reduced down to 9m. No particular difficulties
sections. The 15m was in excess of the specified
were encountered constructing down to this width.
10m limit but was permitted so as to better match
The method changed placing from the traditional
the size of the bulldozer, haulage plant and other
0.3m thick horizontal lifts to 1.2m lifts
equipment. The entire strip was compacted before
constructed with 4 layers each 0.3m thick placed
commencing the next adjoining strip, including
on a slope such that successive sloped layers
the advancing edge which joins to the next strip if

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USE OF THE SLOPED LAYER METHOD FOR BONDED JOINTS ON TANNUR RCC DAM, JORDAN

could be placed within the initial set time of the quantity of bedding mix required was greatly
RCC. reduced between the slope layers leading to
considerable cost savings to the owner.
The slope layer approach as developed in China
uses a 3m high sloped layer as standard. At Cold joints were cleaned using high pressure
Tannur Dam, a 1.2m high slope layer was chosen air/water jetting once the RCC had gained
to fit in with height of the downstream steps. sufficient strength. Air/water jetting was assisted
by rotary brooming. Old joints were first treated
by scraping with a blade attached to an excavator
bucket. The layers and 1.2m lift surfaces were
inclined at 1.5% from downstream to upstream to
assist in removal of debris and surplus water.
The Sloped Layer Method minimises the area of
fresh RCC exposed to ambient conditions, i.e.
heat gain is reduced when the RCC temperature at
time of placing is lower than ambient and, in the
case of rainfall occurring, a smaller area of fresh
RCC is exposed to damage or required to be
‘roller sealed’ to limit damage; the method
therefore permits tighter control to be exercised
Photo 1 - RCC placement showing sloped layer
during adverse ambient conditions. An added
construction view to upstream
benefit was the fast rate at which RCC layers were
Placing commenced from the left abutment being covered by the next layer, mostly this was
working across to the right abutment where the 30-45 minutes. Heat gain from the atmosphere,
Rotec “swinger” delivery system discharged the which was about 32-36°C during RCC placement,
RCC into the dumpers. Layer slopes commenced was limited. This would not have been the case
with a slope of 1 on 12.5 and, as the dam rose and with horizontal layers which would remained
the width between upstream and downstream exposed for 24 hours or more. The thermocouple
faces reduced with height of dam, the slope was measurements for the dam at the end of
flattened to 1 on 20. Actual time between construction are presented in Figure 5, which
successive lifts was controlled to about 45 correlate well with the results from the thermal-
minutes. structural study (Malkawi 2003) even though the
RCC construction continued into the hot summer.

Photo 2 – Mortar spreading and feather edge


treatment view to upstream
A 6mm thick mortar bedding mix was spread over
Figure 5 – Temperature contours at the end of
the full width of each 1.2m cold lift surface in
RCC construction
order to ensure adequate bond was achieved
between the old lift and new layer surfaces. The

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USE OF THE SLOPED LAYER METHOD FOR BONDED JOINTS ON TANNUR RCC DAM, JORDAN

To overcome aggregate being crushed under the up to 180 days as well as the 24 hour hot-
heavy steel roller in the thinning toe of each cured (60°C water bath) compressive strength
sloping layer, a solution developed at Tannur Dam which provided early confirmation that the
was to thicken this ‘feather’ edge to form a required long term RCC strengths would, or
150mm horizontal ‘foot’ which was then would not, be achieved.
compacted with the smaller Dynapac roller in an
upstream downstream direction, prior to • GE-RCC and bedding mortar test specimen
compaction of the balance of the layer by the 16 manufacture and testing for compressive
tonne Bomag rollers operating parallel to the dam strength.
axis. • RCC temperature as placed and long term (by
The introduction of the Sloped Layer Method led installed thermocouple system) temperature
to an immediate increase in production rates of history.
around 50% percent, mainly because of the • Slump testing of bedding mortar.
reduced clean-up requirements and lift joint
treatment, and the ability to lift the forms earlier. A computer program which GHD developed,
manipulated all the recorded data, prepared
Rapid construction, which is the key to the averages, maintained graphical presentations and
economics of RCC, results in the quality control updated statistical results for continuous
of the concrete constituents and the production monitoring and regular reporting purposes.
facilities to be a most important factor in ensuring
concrete quality. Once the RCC has been Table 1 gives the statistical summary of the RCC
produced and compacted into the dam, it is density (also as a proportion of the Theoretical Air
expensive, and also often unrealistic, to remove Free density) and moisture content and the
the deficient material. Quality control after coefficients of variation as measured by nuclear
production should provide final verification of the and VeBe methods.
concrete properties. Quality control of the fresh Table 2 below gives the RCC and GE-RCC
concrete must emphasise test methods that can statistical summaries of the specimen compressive
give a quick indication of concrete quality and strengths whilst Table 3 gives those for the tensile
identify any minor adjustments required to strengths and elastic modulus.
maintain the concrete within the specification.
The average cube compressive strength of the
Quality control of the RCC at Tannur Dam RCC for the entire dam (all mixes) was 25.7MPa
included the following field and laboratory at 90 days with a coefficient of variation of 10.6%
testing: and a standard deviation of 2.7MPa. The average
cube compressive strength of the RCC for the last
• Loaded VeBe time and maximum (2 minute)
50% was 24.8MPa at 90 days with a coefficient of
VeBe density
variation of 9.8% and a standard deviation of
• Single probe nuclear densimeter density and 2.4MPa. All results exceeded the specified
moisture content testing of the 300mm layers characteristic strength of 20MPa.
measured at 150 and 250mm depths.
The indirect tensile strength of 150x300mm
• Verification of nuclear densities and moisture cylinder test samples averaged 2.24MPa while the
contents by sand replacement density methods direct tensile strength averaged 1.42MPa at 90
(one per 300mm layer) days. The tensile strength therefore is some 7.5%
of the equivalent cylinder compressive strength.
• RCC washed gradings, monitoring in
particular the minus 0.075mm fraction, which The static elastic modulus averaged 23.1GPa with
contained the aggregate fines plus the added a standard deviation of 3.8GPa compared with the
cementitious material, and minus 4.75mm design assumption of 18GPa.
sand fraction, which largely determines the Some limited 150mm diameter coring of RCC and
sensitivity of the RCC to segregation. GE-RCC has been undertaken. Strength testing
• RCC test specimen manufacture and testing has been carried out, which confirms the mortared
for compressive, indirect and direct tensile lift joints (1.2m intervals) are giving direct tensile
strengths at all the usual standard-cured ages strengths which exceed 1MPa, and are similar to

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USE OF THE SLOPED LAYER METHOD FOR BONDED JOINTS ON TANNUR RCC DAM, JORDAN

that of the RCC core itself. Shear testing confirms RCC placing method. Additional anchors had
that the lift joint cohesion exceeds 1MPa, and the to be placed into the RCC to hold the forms in
angle of friction is 40 -45°. place when loaded with 1.2m of ‘live’ GE-
RCC and RCC during compaction by the 16
Comparing the test results tabulated above with
tonne vibrating roller. Individual sloped layers
the consistency standards in the draft ICOLD
were placed in 30-40 minutes, well within the
Bulletin “State-of-the-Art of RCC Dams”
retarded initial set time of the RCC, the 1.2m
(ICOLD, 2002), as shown in Table 4, confirms
lifts are thus essentially monolithic and
that the standards achieved at Tannur Dam can be
without evidence of joints between the
classified as being in the “Excellent” to “Good”
300mm layers.
ICOLD ranges.
• Joint treatment is limited to one cold joint
The use of the sloped layer method of
treatment every 1.2m. Such treatment is a
construction in Tannur Dam assisted in speeding
little more difficult than usual insofar as the
up construction and reducing costs. However, a
surface of the layers are more uneven.
certain number of constraints must be taken into
Retaining the traditional crossfall for drainage
account when using this method, these include the
of wash water is a definite advantage.
following:
• “Feather edge” treatment is required.
• Some problems were encountered with the
vertical 3.0m high upstream RMD (Rapid • Survey control using lasers was more difficult
Metal Developments Ltd) forms that had been and the layer profiles were painted on the
designed expecting the usual ‘horizontal’ forms to assist.

Photo 3 - Tannur Dam 1.2m high downstream Photo 4 - Downstream view showing the sloped
form showing survey mark layer construction in progress on the final RCC
lifts in the spillway area

Photo 5 – Upstream view of GE-RCC face and


the 5m high, 180m long conventional concrete
ogee spillway crest nearing the end of
construction

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USE OF THE SLOPED LAYER METHOD FOR BONDED JOINTS ON TANNUR RCC DAM, JORDAN

Table 1 - Summary of RCC Density and Moisture


Entire Dam (all mixes)
Nuclear Test VeBe Test
Moisture Content Density % of TAF Moisture Density VeBe
(%) (kg/m3) (%) Content (kg/m3) Time
(%) (Seconds)
Average 7.9 2425 100.5 8.3 2402 20
Maximum 10.5 2540 104.9 9.2 2435 28
Minimum 6.1 2309 96.3 7.4 2380 12
Number of Tests 3546 3546 3546 480 521 1487
Standard Deviation 0.6 19.6 0.7 0.4 8.7 2.2
Coefficient of Variation 7.0 0.8 0.7 4.4 0.4 11.1
(%)
Last 50% of Dam (with mix of 120 kg/m3 cement and 50 kg/m3 pozzolan)
Nuclear Test VeBe Test
Moisture Content Density % of TAF Moisture Density VeBe
(%) (kg/m3) (%) Content (kg/m3) Time
(%) (Seconds)
Average 8.1 2422 101 8.6 2398 18
Maximum 10.5 2538 105 9.2 2416 22
Minimum 6.4 2309 98 7.8 2380 14
Number of Tests 2439 2439 2439 249 258 815
Standard Deviation 0.5 20.4 0.7 0.3 7.1 0.9
Coefficient of Variation 6.6 0.8 0.7 3.7 0.3 4.7
(%)

Table 2 - Summary of Compressive Strengths


Entire Dam (all mixes)
150mm Cube RCC Compressive Strength GE-RCC Compressive
Specimen Strength
Age Hot 24 hr 7 day 28 day 90 day 180 day Hot 24 hr 28 day 90 day
Average (MPa) 11.9 14.8 21.2 25.7 27.7 10.7 20.0 24.6
Number of Tests 335 331 344 340 120 325 335 336
Standard Deviation 1.7 1.9 2.6 2.7 3.0 1.8 2.8 3.1
Coefficient of 14.5 12.9 12.2 10.6 10.7 16.9 14.0 12.5
Variation (%)
Last 50% of the Dam ( with mix of 120 kg/m3 cement and 50 kg/m3 Pozzolan)

150mm Cube RCC Compressive Strength GE-RCC Compressive


Specimen Strength
Age Hot 24 hr 7 day 28 day 90 day 180 day Hot 24 hr 28 day 90 day
Average (MPa) 11.6 14.9 20.9 24.8 27.2 10.6 19.6 23.5
Number of Tests 142 142 146 142 36 135 143 138
Standard Deviation 1.4 2.0 2.5 2.4 2.9 1.7 2.4 2.3
Coefficient of 12.4 13.1 11.8 9.8 10.8 16.3 12.3 10.0
Variation (%)
Note to convert: 150mm diameter cylinder strength = 80% cube strength (approximately).

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USE OF THE SLOPED LAYER METHOD FOR BONDED JOINTS ON TANNUR RCC DAM, JORDAN

Table 3 - Summary of RCC Tensile Strengths and Elastic Modulus


Entire Dam Last 50% of Dam
150mm Cylinder Specimens. Indirect Direct Modulus Indirect Direct Modulus
All 90-100day Age (MPa) (MPa) (GPa) (MPa) (MPa) (GPa)

Average 2.24 1.42 23.08 2.24 1.38 21.91


Number of Tests 118 112 68 64 54 24
Standard Deviation 0.31 0.23 3.76 0.33 0.15 3.93
Coefficient of Variation (%) 13.97 16.14 16.32 14.65 10.61 17.93

Table 4 - Consistency of RCC Quality (ICOLD)


Ranges of Coefficients of Variation (%)
Assessed Performance Excellent Good Average Poor Very poor

Strength of Manufactured Test Specimens


Compressive <10 10 to 15 15 to 20 20 to 25 >25
Indirect Tensile <12.5 12.5 to 17.5 17.5 to 22.5 22.5 to 27.5 >27.5
Direct Tensile <15 15 to 20 20 to 25 25 to 30 >30
Density
Loaded VeBe <0.75 0.75 to 1.25 1.25 to 1.75 1.75 to 2.25 >2.25
Nuclear Densimeter <0.75 0.75 to 1.25 1.25 to 1.75 1.75 to 2.25 >2.25

Extract from Table 6.2 ICOLD (2002) (Values for cores not shown above).

the underlying layer was over 2 hours old (1


hour for a strip 4m from the upstream face).
5 Advantages and Constraints
of the Sloped Layer Method • The sloping joints were generally very fresh
being less than 1 hour old. Because of the
The advantages resulting from the slope layer retarder, the underlying RCC had not
approach in Tannur Dam are: - achieved its initial set. Bonding quality
between successive sloped layers is extremely
• Provided for homogeneous, monolithic RCC
good.
across the joints of the 0.3m layers and
reduced the number of horizontal lift joints. • Green cutting and layer surface preparation of
GE-RCC facing was not required. The
• Cleanup operations were restricted to the
material was so fresh that the poker vibrators
horizontal surface on the top of each 1.2m
penetrated into the previously placed layer of
high slope layer. As this was generally a cold
facing.
joint with hardened concrete, cleanup could
be facilitated by mechanical rotary brooming • Formwork could be left on longer for curing
and high-pressure air/water jetting without or thermal protection purposes. The required
causing excessive damage to the surface. quantity of formwork on site could be reduced
by up to 40-50%.
• Bedding mortar requirements were reduced by
around 60% with the associated cost saving. • Closeout of the layer under the Swinger was
Bedding mortar was only used on joints where easier.

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USE OF THE SLOPED LAYER METHOD FOR BONDED JOINTS ON TANNUR RCC DAM, JORDAN

• Plant could generally be confined to the area


in front of the advancing slope layer.
• Curing operations were facilitated by reducing
the total surface area of RCC required to be
cured. Reduced the area of exposed young
RCC that could be damaged by rainfall or
affected by hot conditions.
• Easy compliance with time/temperature
criteria. Reduced the potential for the cooler
RCC to gain heat from hot ambient
conditions.
• Overall production rates were increased by Photo 6 – Tannur Dam downstream view in
around 30-50%. April 2002, reservoir partly filled
The disadvantages of the system were: -
• Survey control of the advancing layers was 7 Acknowledgements
more difficult.
The authors would like to acknowledge the
• The more rapid rate of rise of the fresh support given by GHD Pty Ltd in undertaking the
concrete put greater loading on the formwork. preparation of this paper.
The formwork and their anchors therefore
need to be sized accordingly.
• “Feather edges” require special treatment. 8 References
Forbes, B.A. (2002). “The RCC Sloped Layer
Construction Method.” Middle East RCC
6 Future Application of the Conference, Jordan, 2002.
Sloped Layer Method Forbes, B.A., Iskander, M.M. and Malkawi,
The development of placing multiple layers on a A.I.H. (2001). “High RCC Standards achieved at
slope to achieve a much thicker lift achieves an Jordan’s Tannur dam.” International Journal on
increased lift joint bond quality and production Hydropower and Dams, June, Volume 8, Issue 3,
rate. As shown on the previous projects in China 2001.
(Forbes 2002), complete lengths of 8 to 10m of Forbes, B.A., Lichen, Y., Guojin, T. and
unbroken RCC core were recovered from vertical Kangning, Y. (1999). “Jiangya Dam, China: some
cores extracted from RCC dams where the Sloped interesting techniques developed for high quality
Layer Method was used, thus confirming a RCC construction.” Proc. Of the International
monolithic mass of the RCC is achievable. Symposium on Roller Compacted Concrete Dams,
The method has already raised significant interest Chengdu, China, April 1999.
from other projects in construction around the ICOLD, Committee on Concrete Dams. Bulletin
world and is expected to be adopted for many on “State-of-the-Art of Roller Compacted
future RCC dams, especially the larger structures, Concrete Dams” (September 2002).
when cohesion and tensile resistance between
layers of RCC is an important issue. Malkawi, A.I.H. Mutasher, S.A. and Qiu T.
(scheduled for publication in November 2003),
“Thermal-Structural Modeling and Temperature
Control of an RCC Gravity Dam”. Journal of
Constructed Facilities, American Society of Civil
Engineering, November 2003.

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