Let's talk about what a dam is, as well as about the practical application of this structure.
What it is
By a dam is meant an artificial elevation in the form of a shaft, which is built from the earth, stones. It can also be built from auxiliary materials. Let's take a closer look at the concept of “dam”.
The meaning of the word in different dictionaries is the same. It is precisely about the elevations that are built in swamps, lowlands, riverbeds of large rivers, along the sea coast. The main purpose of such a structure is to carry out hydraulic works, the construction of automobile and railway paintings over water.
Features
So what is a dam now? First of all, this is a protective structure that protects the roadway from possible flooding with water. In order for it to fulfill the function assigned to it in full, the dam must rise at least one meter above the surface of the water. There are certain requirements for the width of the erected protective strip.
So, for roads and railways, it should be wider than the road itself, and for sea dams, the width depends on the stability of the soil. In addition, the type of material used for construction is taken into account.
The specifics of the creation
How is a dam constructed? What does its steepness mean? Depending on the purpose, when creating such protective strips, choose a different angle of inclination. For roads and railways choose soil that does not absorb water.
Sand materials are mainly used, clay for dams is not used. Earthen slopes can be a single or one and a half slope, the width is calculated based on one meter per meter of height.
To increase the strength of the structure, in 2-8 meters in high slopes make ledges in the form of horizontal platforms (berms), which increase the stability of the created structure.
Answering the question of what a dam is, we note that it involves the arrangement of sandy soil in layers. After laying one layer, the earth is necessarily compacted, only after that work continues on the creation of a protective strip.
In those cases when the soil used to fill the dam is not suitable for sowing, the slopes are torn or covered with a layer of earth of 15-20 centimeters and sown with vegetation. River dams are planted with willow bushes to fix the surface.
Those slopes that are subjected to a constant pressure of water or waves are additionally strengthened with a stone to the level of high waters. According to new technologies, the slopes of the dams towards the water make more gentle compared to the upland species.
In order to strengthen the structure under construction, stakes are used, which are clogged in rows, as well as wattle from brushwood.
When building a dam in marshy areas, first dig a deep ditch in the ground, ram it with clay and only on the basis obtained do all subsequent construction work.
Conclusion
In search of an answer to the question of what a dam is, we managed to find out the purpose of this structure. Without such bulk strips, it would be impossible to connect, for example, St. Petersburg and Kronstadt.
Of course, the cost of such construction work amounts to billions of rubles, as well as huge time costs, but the result that can be obtained in the end fully pays for all expenses incurred.
Before embarking on the construction of a dam, a huge number of specialists are working on the project. Detailed soil studies are carried out, the feasibility and the possibility of creating a dam are analyzed. Then, calculations are made according to the amount of embankment needed, materials for construction are selected, and only after that the approved project is implemented into reality.