Close windowGlossary
Compaction - When constructing an embankment
dam, earth or rocks are compacted to pack their particles
closer together pushing out the spaces taken up by air. The
material is placed in thin layers and compacted using rollers.
This makes the embankment stronger. It also reduces the amount
that the embankment material would settle naturally under its
own weight. If the materials were not compacted, the dam would
settle and its height would be reduced noticeably after a short
time.
Concrete for RCC
dams is also compacted in place using rollers
Concrete being compacted with rollers for the Stillwater RCC
dam in the United States