ABSTRACT
The construction technology of RCC arch dam is similar to that of RCC gravity dam. The main difference between these two types of RCC dams is the temperature control and design of joints. There are no transverse joints but only some crack inducers in the first three RCC arch dams constructed in the world. In 1992, the author pointed out that transverse joints and temperature control are necessary to RCC arch dams except the small dams, which can be constructed in winter months (Zhu 1992). Thereafter, transverse joints and temperature control were adopted in RCC arch dams in China. The method for computing the temperature loads, the method for the control of thermal stresses and the principles for design of joints for RCC arch dams are given in this paper.
