US2010803A - Dam facing - Google Patents

Description

Aug 13, 1935.

w. H. BAILEY 2,010,803

DAM FACING Filed Sept. 5, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l u 13, 1935.: w. H. BAILEY 2,010,803

DAM FACING Fi led Sept. 5, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1935. w. H. BAILEY 2,010,803

DAM FAC ING Filed Sept. 5195s 5 Sheets-Sheet s T I, 0 INVENTO I g BY ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 13, 1935 DAM FACING William H. Bailey, Pueblo, Cola, assignor to The Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, Denver,

Colo.

Application September 5, 1933, Serial No. 688,185

13 Claims. (01. s1 30) This invention relates to the construction of dams, and more particularly to dams of the type in which a solid structure of concrete or other suitable material is covered by a protective metallic facing.

The present invention relates more particular- 1y to the construction of this facing and to the method of its application to the dam proper, and its primary object is to provide a facing capable of expansion and contraction without detrimental deformation or disruption, by the use of corrugations in the metal of which it is composed.

Another object is to provide a facing of the above described character, made up of units or sections of corrugated form joined together in any convenient and suitable manner.

A further object is to provide practical methods of joining the units together, which methods are capable of different modifications, all within the scope of the invention.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel crest-element at the upper edge of the dam, by which the spillage of water across the dam-structure is effectively prevented and by which the dam facing is protected against destructive influences from beyond the dam.

In connection with the last mentioned object, the invention includes the provision of appliances for tensioning the facing for the main purpose of preventing buckling during expansion subsequent to contraction.

, Other objects too numerous for individual mention reside in details of construction and in novel arrangements and combinations of parts, all of which will be fully disclosed in the course of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings in the several views of which like parts are similarly designated. 40 .Figure 1 represents a face view of the dam structure .in accordance with the presentinvention, i

Figure 2, an enlarged, partially broken section taken on the 'line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3, an enlarged sectional view of the lower portion of the dam showing means for anchoring the facing at the foot of the dam, t Figure 4, an enlarged section along the line 4-4 of Figure 1, showing the lapping relation of the units or sections of which the dam facing is composed,

Figure 5 is an enlarged section on the line 55,

Figure 1, showing a means for connecting the sections, lengthwise of the facing,

Figure 6 is an enlarged section taken on the line 65 of Figure 1, showing a modification of the means illustrated in Figure 5,

Figure '7 shows in a section similar to that of Figure 5, a. modified method of joining the sections of the facing, V

Figure 8 illustrates another modification of the arrangement of the units of which the facing is composed, 1

Figure 9 is an enlarged section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 1, showing an additional means of connecting the units crosswise of the dam,

Figure 10 is an enlarged section in the plane indicated by the line Ill-46 of Figure 1,

Figure 11 shows in section, a modification of the feature of the invention, illustrated inFigure 10, a

Figure 12, a sectional View of; the top portion of a corrugated dam-facing, showing a method of closing the corrugations at that point of the structure, and i Figure 13, a sectional View of a darn crest similar to that of Figure 2, showing a modified method of bracing the same.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings the units of the composite metallic dam-facing of joiningfthe unitsof the dam-facing, other means such as riveting, bolting, etc, may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring more in detail tothe drawings, the. structure or body of the darn, indicated at 5, may be made of concrete, masonry or any suitable material. The slanting face of the damjproper is indicated by the reference numeral 6 audit is to be understood thatin the following description and the hereunto appended claims, the length of the face and of the facing covering the same, is in the horizontal direction, while the.width or transverse dimension of the face and the fab ing extends upwardlyand downwardly.

The protective dam-facing of the present invention is a composite armor having lengthwise or horizontally extending series of vertical corrugations which permit of its horizontal expan-' sion and contraction under temperature varia-' tions and other varying conditions; Each corrugation serves to compensate for horizontal expansion or contraction, and by the provision of a series of such corrugations, the degree of expansion or contraction divided among them is comparatively slight. In a facing of the corrugated type at present under construction, the expansion for one hundred degrees Fahrenheit variation in temperature is approximately four one-thousandths of an inch at each corrugation.

In comparision with a flat-plate dam-facing, the corrugated facing will resist bending or buckling to a high degree, which is another important advantage, since the cost of production is not proportionately increased. In fact, the corrugated plates, may be made of lighter gauge than flat plates, with equal if not greater strength and with much greater flexibility.

As stated before, the dam-facing is made up of a series of units or sections which may be connected in place, thereby reducing shop-work and facilitating handling and transportation.

The sections, indicated separately by the reference numeral 7, may be placed in end-to-end relation, in tiers extending lengthwise or horizontally of the dam as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, and the tiers may be placed in lapping relation to each other, upwardly and downwardly trans- .versely of the face of the dam as indicated in Figures 4. and 9.

In Figures 5 and 6, the sections adjoin each other intermediate of their upwardly curving corrugations, while in Figure 7 they abut one another along lines at the apexes of the corrugations.

A simple method of connecting the units is shown in Figure 5 in which buttstraps 8 are placed lengthwise of and across the lines of abutment of the units and secured in place by fillet-welds 9 along their edges. The butt-straps are made of material similar to that of the sections of the facing and in conformity therewith.

As a variation of the above described method of securing the butt-straps, the latter may be provided with holes as shown at w in Figure 6, which are filled by deposits 12 of molten weld-metal which by contact or adhesion with the parts of the facing-sections beneath the holes, aid in securing the butt-straps in place.

It is desirable that the joints between the sections of adjoining tiers are placed in staggered relation to each other, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. 7

The crosswise lapping tiers of sections are likewise connected by fillet-welds along their uppermost edges as shown at E3 in Figures 4 and 9, and again the connections may be strengthened or reenforced by deposits of welding metal in holes of the uppermost sections, connecting with the portions of the lower sections as shown at M in Figure 9.

As a modification of the methods of connecting the sections of each tier, hereinabove described and shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the sections may overlap one another horizontally as shown in Figure 8, in which case they are connected by filletwelds l5 along the edges of the uppermost sections, aided, if desired, by deposits It of welding metal in holes of the same.

In Figures 5, 6, and 7, have been shown expansion spaces between the lapping sections as at H and I3. J It will be observed that the uppermost edges of the lapping tiers, form ledges which prevent molten weld-metal from flowing away while the welds are being made.

The dam-facing thus constructed in place,

upon the face of the dam-structure is anchored at the foot of the same by an inverted T-bar l9 placed lengthwise of the end of the facing against a grout 2B of the dam-structure, a lapplate 2i placed over the lower portion of the facing and against the T, and fillet-welds 22 at opposite edges of the lap-plate.

An apron 23 connected with the T-bar by filletwelds 24 and 25 extends vertically inside the damstructure; hooked bars 25 anchored in the structure extend through holes of the apron and other hooked bars 28 extending vertically in the body of the dam connect with angles 2? on the T-bar l9.

At the top of the dam is a crest to prevent water from spilling across the darn or to prevent rain water or melting snow from flowing downwardly across the metallic facing or between the facing and the body of the dam. On earth dams and even on rock-filled dams it is a matter of vital importance that water from the stream or reservoir be prevented from going over the top of the dam, to insure against washing away of materials from the dam-structure, and if the volume of overflowing water is large, the entire structure may be endangered.

Heavy winds frequently cause waves which running up the face of the dam would pass across the top thereof, were it not for a protective wall in the form of a parapet usually built in damstructures well above the high water level. The crest of the present invention is a continuation of the metal facing and may be formed separately thereof or integral therewith, according to varying conditions.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, the crest comprises a metallic plate 29 curving upwardly from the top of the dam facing. be corrugated similar to the facing, and like the latter it may be composed of interconnected units or sections. The crest curving inwardly with its concavity facing the foot of the dam, provides a highly effective substitute for the wall or parapet heretofore employed. Its sloping and curved surface will arrest and deflect water waves or breakers moving upwardly across the face of the dam, and it compels the water to recede toward the foot of the dam until equilibrium is established.

At the same time, sprays, rain, or snow that may fall on the convex back of the crest, is prevented from running onto the facing of the dam, or between the facing and the face of the dambody, thru the provision of a drain 5!, as shown in Figure 10, and corrosion, particularly at surfaces not accessible for painting, is thereby avoided.

In this connection, it is observed that both the dam-facing and the crest are preferably made of corrosion-resistant metal, such as stainlesssteel, wrought iron, copper bearing steel, or ingot iron (a trade name for steel low in carbon or other impurities) V The curved crest is supported by braces 36, and its outer surface may be protected by a metal facing 35 which likewise may be made of corrugated plates. In the place of the bracestfi, the crest may be reenforced by metallic webs or diaphragms tile, as shown in Figure 13.

A base 32 for the crest connects with the facing and may be made of metal plates or other shapes, to rest upon the face of the dam structure at the top thereof and in this manner, the crest and the metallic dam-facing may be slidably supported to move under contraction or expansion.

The plate may When the crest and the metallic facing are integrally" connected, they will thus move together, orif they overlap one another without a direct connection between them, theymay move separately or conjointly as the case may be Now, referring to Figure 10 of the drawings, there is provided a tension appliance to establish and maintain a force tending to move the metallic darn-facing upwardly'in the direction of the top of the dam.

The appliance, as shown, comprises a cylinder 33 fastened at the underside of the facing by welding or other suitable means. The cylinder is closedat its ends, and inside the same. is a coiled spring 3 5 engaged by a piston 35 having leak holes 36. 1

The piston is. formed at the end of a rod 31 projecting through a hole in the upper end of the cylinder. The outer portion of the rod is threaded and it extends loosely through an angle iron 38 anchored by means of bolts 39 and a bent rod extending well within the body of the dam-structure.

Nuts H, screwed upon the rod, bear against the angle and thus provide means for varying the tension of the spring.

As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, a number of these tensioning appliances are arranged at equal'distances apart lengthwise of the dam facing and its crest.

The springs engaging an end of the respective cylinders, and the thereto opposite, faces of the relatively stationary pistons, act by their expansive force to constantly pull the facing upwardly or in theolirection of the top of thedam. Bucking of the facing, under contraction, is thus prevented which is of particular value in theme of facing s composed of flat plates.

In Figure 11 of the drawings the tension appliance is applied to dam facings made withoutthe curved crest shown in Figure 10. In this construction, a wall or parapet 42 built upon the dam-structure takes the place of the curved crest.

An angular abutment 43 for the nuts on the piston rod is fastened to a brace 44 rearward of the parapet, and the rod extends through a guide tube 45 in the structure of the dam.

The cylinder is self adjusting, to which end it is by means of a lip 46 pivotally connected with a bracket 4?, on the under side of the dam facing as at 48. gated metal, and the curved crest is'not used, the corrugations at the top of the facing may be closed by a continuous flat plate 49, secured in place by welding as at 50, as shown in Figure 12 of the drawings.

The operation of the invention and the advantages an'd benefits derived therefrom have been mentioned at different times in the course of the foregoing description, and but little further explanation is thought necessary at this point.

The corrugated construction of a facing free to move horizontally, absorbs horizontal contrac tion and expansion and when, as in the construction shown in the drawings, the facing is composed of a plurality of corrugated elements,.horizontal expansion and contraction is in each element composed of one groove and one ridge.

The corrugated facing moreover provides greater strength or load-carrying capacity, normal to the face of the dam and also parallel to the face, than would be obtained by a flat facing of the same weight or thickness,

The freely movable facing, constantly tensioned When the dam-facing is made of corru- I by the spring-appliances, is prevented from bulging in its movement up and down the dam-face under contraction and expansion, which is of particular value on steep slopes, because once the crest has receded, due to contraction, the facing might not have enough strength to push itself back upon the slope under subsequent expansion, without the aid of tensioning devices of the general character herein described.

An added advantage of the curved crest of the facing resides in the fact. that it provides a surface towhich ice will not readily adhere, or to which ice may notbecome locked.

The metallic facing, as shown and described, is substantially rupture proof or rupture resisting in a horizontal direction. Should the backing of the facing fail, as for example, in case the reservoir is overfilled, due to floods or other causes,

the facing may bellow into any extensive cavity or displacement of the backing and thereby prevent or materially retard the flow of water from the reservoir over the crest. In this respect, the corrugated facing resembles any accordion pleated material that tends to adjust itself to any supporting contour or irregular, supporting k surface. The corrugated plate will readily be elongated horizontally, in instances as cited, to a very great extent before the plate will rupture.

In actual practice, it was found that a facing one thousand feet long-would stretch to approximately twelve hundred feet, before rupturing.

Another valuable feature of the facing resides in the staggered vertical joint construction. With this arrangement, it is apparent that theoretically therewill be no horizontal strain on the butt-strap joints until after the plates have been distorted and are approaching failure from horisontal strain, or until the horizontal welded joints have failed, due ,:to horizontal strain; in other words, the horizontal flexibility of the plate is assured by insurance against failure of the vertical joints.

Moreover, due to the horizontal flexibility of the facing, the corrugations will tend to flatten out before undue tension will occur to tear the facing away from its anchorage to the aprons at the ends of the facing.

The tension devices herein described obviate the necessity of anchoring the metallic facing to the dam structure proper where this anchoring will not be desirable. Wherever a facing is so anchored, there is always a hazard introduced due to starting places for leaks, also as starting places for rips.

It is further to be understood that while I have described the different features of the invention in practicalform and arrangement, variations in the construction and relative arrangement of the various elements and parts, may be availed of without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the hereunto appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

l. The combination with a dam having a flat upstream face, of a metallic facing upon said face, having at the top of the same, an incurved upwardly extending crest, the concave side of said crest facing upstream.

2. The combination with a dam having a flat upstream face, .of a-metallic corrugated facing upon said face, having at the top of the same, an incurved upwardly extending corrugated crest, the concave side of said crest facing upstream.

3. The combination with a dam having a flat upstream face, of a metallic facing movable upon said face, and means connecting said dam and facing and arranged to yieldingly oppose movement of said facing under expansion.

4. The combination with a dam facing having a flat upstream face, of a metallic facing movable upon said. face and having corrugations for its expansion and contraction horizontally of the same, and means connecting said dam and facing for tensioning the facing in a direction up and downwardly of the face.

5. The combination with a dam facing having a fiat upstream face, of a metallic facing movable upon said face, an abutment on the facing, a relatively stationary abutment on said face, and a spring between and exerting stress on the two abutments for tensioning the facing.

65. The combination with a dam facing having a flat upstream face, of a metallic facing movable upon said face, an abutment on the facing, a relatively stationary abutment on said face, and a spring between and exerting stress on the two abutments for tensioning the facing, the stationary abutment being adjustable to vary its position relative to the abutment of the facing, whereby to vary the tension of the spring.

'7. The combination with a darn facing having a flat upstream face, of a metallic facing movable upon said face, a cylinder on the facing, a piston in the cylinder fixed with relation to the facing, and a spring between an end of the cylinder and the piston, for tensioning the facing.

8. The combination with a dam facing having a fiat upstream face, of a metallic facing movable upon said face, a cylinder on the facing, a piston in the cylinder fixed with relation to the facing, means for varying the position of the piston relative to an end of the cylinder, and a spring between the piston and said end.

9. The combination with a dam facing having a flat upstream face, of a metallic facing movable upon said face, a cylinder on the facing, an

apertured bracket fixed with relation to the facing, a piston in the cylinder, a threaded rod on the piston extending through an aperture of the bracket, a nut on the rod bearing upon the bracket, and a spring between the piston and an end of the cylinder.

10. The combination with a dam facing having a fiat upstream face, of a metallic facing movable upon said face, a cylinder pivoted on the facing, an apertured bracket fixed with relation to the facing, a piston in the cylinder, a threaded rod on the piston extending through an aperture of the bracket, a nut on the rod bearing upon the bracket, and a spring between the piston and an end of the cylinder.

11. The combination with a dam having an inclined face covered by a metallic shield; of means connecting the upper parts of said dam and metallic shield, and including a spring equivalent tending to pull said shield upwardly on said face.

12. The combination with a dam having an inclined face covered by a metallic shield; of a cylinder attached to the upper part of the shield, longitudinally of the inclined face, a piston in said cylinder having a piston rod extending through the upper end of the cylinder, a spring surrounding said rod between the piston and the upper end of the cylinder, and an abutment fixed on the upper part of the dam wherewith said rod is connected.

13. The combination with a dam having an inclined face covered by a metallic shield, of a cylinder pivotally attached to the upper part of the shield, longitudinally of the inclined face, a piston in said cylinder having a piston rod extending through the upper end of the cylinder, a spring surrounding said rod between the piston and the upper end of the cylinder, and an abutment fixed on the upper part of the dam wherewith said rod is connected.

WILLIAM BAILEY.

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