4. Dams

4.1 Special requirements and joint types

In concrete dams (gravity dams or arch dams) or concrete masks, shrinkage cracking is to be expected due to the large dimensions of the structures. It is therefore necessary to divide the total volume of concrete into several blocks, so that concrete shrinkage does not exceed tolerable limits.

This creates shrinkage joints [11] . The reinforcement is then interrupted.

Periodic temperature variations can be significant, especially for high-altitude dams where the ambient temperature can go from + 50 ˚C in summer to - 25 ˚C in winter. Expansion joints are therefore required: a separation between contiguous parts of the concrete structure...