Flexible structures

Rubber dams are flexible hydraulic structures consisting of a rubberized fabric dam body, a concrete foundation, a control room housing mechanical and electrical equipment and an inlet/outlet piping system. These dams have become popular because of the following advantages: long span and adaptable to different side slopes; short construction period; easy maintenance and repair; low project life cycle cost; earthquake resistant; adaptable to adverse conditions; and environmentally friendly. To increase their competitiveness for a larger share in the international market, manufacturers, in cooperation with research and development institutions, are developing new types of high performance rubber dams to meet the needs of more demanding application conditions. New rubber dam types that are drawing interest are as follows: rubber dams with inspection gallery; rubber dams with different deflation modes; inflatable dams with steel plate; innovative fish-way; rubber dams with flood mitigation and safety; dams with increasing water storage capacity and power output; dams that reduce sediment problems; dams with irrigation and water supply; dams with ground water recharge; dams with navigation; and dams with water environment improvement.