Galleries of Gravity Dam

Dr.P.Sarath
ANU

 A gallery is a formed opening left in a dam

. This may run in transverse or longitudin
al direction and may run horizontally or o
n a slope.
The shape and size varies from dam to da
m and is generally governed by the functi
ons it has to perform.
Following are the purposes for which a g
allery is formed in the dams.

Components & Forces in Dams

Gate

Upstream

Down Stream

Spill Way
Reservoir
Water

Dam Body

Drainage Gallery
Sluice gate

Foundation

Stilling Basin

Foundation Soil

 1. To provide drainage' of the dam section. Som

e amount of water constantly seeps through th
e upstream face of the dam which is drained off
through galleries.
2. To provide facilities for drilling and grouting
operations for foundations etc. Drillings for drai
n is generally resorted to clean them if they are
clogged.
High pressure grouting and required drilling for
it is generally carried out after the completion o
f dam. This can be best done through galleries.

 3. To provide space for header and return pipes f

or post cooling of concrete and grouting the lon
gitudinal joints after completion of dam.
4. To provide access to observe and measure th
e behaviour of the structure after its completion
by fixing thermocouples and examining develop
ment of cracks etc.
5.To provide an access of mechanical contrivan
ces needed for the operation of outlet gates and
spillway gates.

Walk way
Concreted later

 Fig. shows two typical shapes of galleries. In the recta

ngular gallery, all the corners should be rounded so th
at stress concentration is minimum.
Where drainage trough is required, a rectangular troug
h such as at c is necessary, though shape d is preferre
d. In oval shaped gallery to provide walkway, the semicircular bottom is filled in with an unbounded slab

Shafts: Vertical openings in the dam are called shafts.

Shafts are provided to connect galleries a (various lev
els. Plumber shaft is provided to measure the deflectio
ns of dam by suspending a plumb bob in it.

Thank You