Abstract
Recently, it becomes difficult to find economical construction sites for dams because numerous dams have been already constructed in the past for flood control, water resources and power generation. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new materials or construction methods suitable for the embankment of relatively low dams on weak bedrock or soil foundation. This report describes such a new material which we have developed. The main points are as follows:
(1) The new embankment material is made by mixing decomposed granite in place with portland cement, but the process requires some elaborate management in quality and construction works.
(2) The physical properties of the decomposed granite is greatly improved by the addition of the cement of about 5 weight % of the dry decomposed granite. The reaction products between the cement and clay minerals in the decomposed granite have been confirmed by chemical analysis to be hydrates. This material is proven stable enough for the embankment use from its chemical and physical properties.
(3) This material makes the volume of dam banking less and the quality control during construction easier, leading to the economical embankment with improved quality.
