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Title	TAMING THE GREAT DRAGON: THREE GORGES DAM
Accession No	00929952
Authors	Semioli, W J; Jensen, R L
Journal Title	Concrete International Vol. 24 No. 8
Corp. Authors / Publisher	American Concrete Institute
Publication Date	20020800
Description	p. 50-58; Figures(2); Photos(7)
Languages	English
Abstract	The Three Gorges Dam in China, started in 1993 and scheduled for completion in 2009, will be the largest concrete dam in the world. This article discusses the engineering and construction aspects of this massive project. One major challenge is ensuring the impermeability and durability of the concrete used in the dam. The design strength of the dam's mass concrete varies between 2000 and 3600 psi. Requirements for concretes of various strengths depend on function and location within the dam. Medium-heat cement is employed mainly for the mass concrete of the dam, with shrinkage compensating grout for contraction joints. About 40% of the binder content of the mass concrete, as well as 20% of the higher strength concrete, is fly ash, which should contribute to increased watertightness and durability. Formwork and tie-down methods are also discussed. Although the dam promises to offer many benefits, such as increased shipping and lower navigation costs through locks that will permit passage of ships up to 10,000 tonnes, critics worry about the seismic hazard of locating a dam on a fault, flood control and silt accumulation upstream of the dam.
TRT Terms	Admixtures ; Binders ; Cement ; Cement grouts ; Concrete construction ; Concrete dams ; Concrete forms ; Concrete ties ; Construction engineering ; Contraction joints ; Durability ; Earthquake resistant structures ; Faults ; Flood protection ; Fly ash ; High strength concrete ; Locks (Waterways) ; Mass concrete ; Permeability ; Silting ; Strength of materials
Geographical Terms	China
Identifier Terms	Three Gorges Dam
Subject Areas	H33 CONSTRUCTION; H25 STRUCTURES DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE; I53 Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I24 Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls
Availability	American Concrete Institute Find a library where document is available Order Document: http://worldcat.org/oclc/4163061
TRIS Files	HRIS
Database	TRIS Online

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