Manual on small earth dams

FAO
IRRIGATION
AND
DRAINAGE
PAPER
64

Manual on
small earth dams

A guide to siting, design and construction

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 2010

This manual has been prepared to help practitioners design and construct small earth dams in rural areas. It reflects FAO’s and the author’s best judgement and knowledge on the subject. Every reasonable effort has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this manual is complete, accurate and correct. FAO declines responsibility for any error or omission and in no event shall FAO be liable for any loss of business or profit, or for any direct or indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of any use of this manual. If users require engineering or other professional services, the assistance of an appropriate professional should be sought.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations encourages the dissemination of material contained in this publication, provided that reference is made to the source.

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO.

ISBN 978-92-5-106547-1

All rights reserved. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product for educational or other non-commercial purposes are authorized without any prior written permission from the copyright holders provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of material in this information product for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without written permission of the copyright holders. Applications for such permission should be addressed to the Chief, Publishing Policy and Support Branch, Office of Knowledge Exchange, Research and Extension, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy. Or by e-mail to: [email protected]

Table of contents

Acknowledgements [755kb]
Acronyms, abbreviations and symbols

1 Introduction
2 Background

Part I [332kb]

3 Earth embankments
4 Earth works
5 Site selection and preliminary investigations

Part II [388kb]

6 Detailed design
7 Dam construction
8 Special cases

Part III [260kb]

9 Finishing works
10 Repair work
Bibliography
Glossary

Part IV [1.977kb]

Annex 1
Annex 2
Annex 3
Annex 4