Effects of construction material properties on dam type selection (Sariguzel Dam – Turkey)

The availability of dam fill materials influenced the dam design considerably. Rockfill is one of the most preferred fill materials for embankment dam. Also, use of different fill material such as sand-gravel has been preferred in recent years. Previous studies on concrete-faced sand-gravel fill dam, results of the laboratory experiments and in situ testing analysis display that using sand-gravel as a fill material is not only cost-effective but also safe and provides high-quality natural construction material. This paper illustrates the importance of construction material properties on dam type selection. Sariguzel Dam is constructed on the Ceyhan River to the south-west of the Turkey. In the feasibility stage, the dam type was selected as the concrete-facing rockfill dam, depending on state of natural construction materials. Because of the inappropriate rock material quality, in design stage dam type was changed to concrete-faced sand-gravel fill type.