Application of RCC for Small Dam Projects - Rehabilitation of Rawson Hill, Bear Creek and Beaver Creek Dams

ABSTRACT ONLY - The application of RCC for dams in the U.S. began in 1980 and has become one of the most exciting developments in the world of concrete and dam engineering. There is a wide gap between the largest and smallest RCC projects by volume; Taum Sauk Dam in Missouri used 2,448,000 cubic yards in 2010 whereas the Bear Creek No. 12 auxiliary spillway project in North Carolina used 885 cubic yards. The median total volume of RCC used on dam projects between 1980 and 2020 is 6,600 cubic yards. The average volume used per dam project is approximately 15,000 cubic yards. This presentation discusses the application of RCC for three small dam projects involving the use of less than 4,000 cubic yards of RCC for different rehabilitation applications; (1) a new RCC gravity replacement dam for Bear Creek Dam in Pennsylvania (2) armoring the embankment at Rawson Hill Dam in Massachusetts, and (3) armoring the spillway at Beaver Creek Dam in Pennsylvania. Special considerations for using RCC for small projects will be discussed. Lessons learned from the design and construction of the three case studies will be shared.