arch dam: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Technical)Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “arch dam” mean?
A concrete dam curved upstream in plan, which uses its curved shape to transfer the water's pressure to its abutments (the rock or earth at its sides).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A concrete dam curved upstream in plan, which uses its curved shape to transfer the water's pressure to its abutments (the rock or earth at its sides).
A sophisticated type of dam primarily built in narrow gorges where the rock walls are strong enough to resist the arch's thrust. Its design represents a key concept in structural engineering, emphasizing material efficiency and the use of shape for strength.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between BrE and AmE. The term is used identically in technical contexts globally.
Connotations
Conveys notions of advanced engineering, elegance in design, and suitability for specific geological sites.
Frequency
Equal, low frequency in both dialects, confined to engineering, geography, and construction fields.
Grammar
How to Use “arch dam” in a Sentence
The [arch dam] [verbs: spans, curves, transfers] [object/force] to [location/abutments].An [arch dam] was [verbs: built, constructed, designed] in the [narrow gorge/canyon].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arch dam” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The arch-dam design was revolutionary for its time.
- They commissioned an arch-dam feasibility study.
American English
- The arch-dam design was groundbreaking for its time.
- They commissioned an arch-dam feasibility study.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports and proposals for infrastructure projects, discussing costs, feasibility, and contract specifics.
Academic
Central term in civil engineering textbooks and research papers on dam design, structural analysis, and hydraulic forces.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used in documentaries, news reports about major construction, or tourism for famous dams like the Hoover Dam.
Technical
The primary context. Used in design specifications, geological surveys, structural calculations, and engineering discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arch dam”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arch dam”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arch dam”
- Confusing 'arch dam' with any dam that looks curved from the front (many gravity dams have a curved face but work on a different principle).
- Using 'arc dam' (incorrect).
- Mispronouncing 'arch' as /ɑːrtʃ/ (like the verb) in British English; the BrE pronunciation for the noun in this context is /ɑːtʃ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Hoover Dam is technically a massive concrete arch-gravity dam. It combines the arch principle with the sheer mass of a gravity dam for added stability.
Its main advantages are material efficiency (it uses less concrete than a gravity dam for the same height) and great strength, making it ideal for very high dams in suitable locations.
No. Arch dams require solid, competent rock at the abutments (sides) to resist the tremendous lateral thrust generated by the water pressure. Soft ground cannot provide this necessary support.
A single curvature dam is curved only in the horizontal plane (like a simple arch). A double curvature dam (or 'shell' arch dam) is curved in both the horizontal and vertical planes, making it even thinner and more efficient, resembling a dome or an upside-down bowl.
A concrete dam curved upstream in plan, which uses its curved shape to transfer the water's pressure to its abutments (the rock or earth at its sides).
Arch dam is usually formal / technical in register.
Arch dam: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɑːtʃ ˈdæm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑːrtʃ ˈdæm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None. This is a technical term, not used idiomatically.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a giant stone ARCH in a narrow valley, pushing back against a lake's weight – that's an ARCH DAM.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DAM AS A SHIELD/BOW: The arch dam is conceptualized as a shield curving to deflect pressure, or as a bow being compressed, storing strength in its shape.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary structural principle of an arch dam?