Types of Dams in Construction.

• Masonry Dam.

• Concrete Dam.

• Timber Dam.

• Steel Dam.

• Earthen Dam.

• Rock Fill Dam.

• Gravity Dam

1. Masonry Dam

Masonry dams are built using either stone masonry or brick masonry. Cement mortar is used to join the masonry blocks. Gravity dam, arch dam etc. are examples of masonry dams.Concrete Dam
Concrete is most commonly used material to construct a dam. Most of the major dams in the world are built using concrete. Gravity dams, arch dam, Buttress dam etc. can be constructed using concrete.3. Timber Dam
Timber dams generally used for temporary purposes such as to divert the water for the construction of main dam, to control flood water flow etc. Timber dams are suitable up to 9 meters height. Steel Dam
Steel dams are also used for temporary requirements like timber dams.  Steel plates and inclined struts are used for the construction of steel dam. This type of dams are suitable up to 15 to 18 meters of height.Earthen Dam
Earthen dams are made of ordinary soil which is cheaply available. This type of dams are suitable where the foundation soil is very weak and not strong enough to carry the weight of masonry dam. Since it is constructed using soil the cost of construction is very less compared to rigid type dam.

2. Rock Fill Dam
Rock fill dams are constructed using rocks and boulders. Upstream side of dam is built with dry rubble masonry and loose rock fill is provided on the downstream side. A reinforced concrete slab layer is also provided on the upstream side to make it water tight. It is more stable than earthen dams and its flexible nature helps it better against earthquake forces.

3. Gravity Dam
A Gravity dam is a structure which resists the external forces by its own weight or self-weight. Gravity dams are generally constructed by using masonry or concrete. Various external forces like water pressure, uplift pressure, wave pressure, ice pressure, earth quake pressure etc. are resisted by its self-weight only which acts vertically downwards. So, good foundation is required to construct gravity dam preferably rocky strata under the dam. The shape of cross section of gravity dam is approximately triangular in shape. Infiltration gallery can be provided within the dam to resist uplift pressure. The failure of gravity dam may occurs due to sliding, overturning or crushing at toe. Hence, higher factor of safety is recommended for the design of gravity dam.

4. Arch Dam
An arch dam is curved in plan with its convex upstream. Various forces coming onto the dam are resisted by its arch action. It is constructed using masonry or concrete but requires less material compared to gravity dam. The loads coming onto the dam are transferred to the abutments of dam. So, abutments must be stronger and generally natural formations like hills are used as abutments. Arch dams are generally preferred for narrow valleys. Arch dam is economical when the length of dam is less than its height. So, this type of dams can be build up to greater heights.

5. Buttress Dam
A buttress dam contains face slab, buttresses and base slab. Face slab is provided on the upstream side with some inclination and this slab is supported by series of buttresses which are nothing but supports. Base slab acts as foundation for the whole dam which receives the load from buttresses and face slab. Buttress dam is either straight or curved in plan. Greater the height of dam higher the number of buttresses. This type of dams are preferred where the foundation soil is very weak. The space available between the buttresses can used for several purposes like water treatment plant installation, power plant installation etc.

6. Embankment Dam
Embank dam is made of soil or rocks. This type of dams are come under non rigid type dams. Embankment dams are again classified into three different types
Homogeneous Embankment Type Dam
Zoned Embankment Type Dam
Diaphragm Embankment Dam Operations in Embankment Dam Construction