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Part 1: New-generation RMC dams in SA, as illustrated through the Bakubung, Welgevonden and Genadendal Dams
Synopsis
For a little over a decade, arch dams of various configurations have been constructed in Zimbabwe using a variation of traditional masonry technology, termed rubble masonry concrete (RMC). Bringing this technology to South Africa in the 1990s, we find a dam building material and method that is extremely cost-effective, produces a durable, low-maintenance dam wall and is particularly labourintensive. The author has been involved in a number of RMC dam projects to date, theee of which - the Bakubung, Welgevonden and Genadendal Dams - have been taken to, or beyond, the detailed design stage. In this paper the experience gained and particularly interesting phenomena observed in the design and construction of RMC dams are presented.
Samevatting
In Zimbabwe word daar vir meer as 'n dekade lank al verskeie soorte boogdamme gebou deur die gebruik van 'RMC', of stortklip-beton, wat 'n variasie is van die tradisionele messelwerk- (masonry) konstruksiemetode. Met die bekendmaking van hierdie tegnologie in Suid-Afrika in die negentigerjare, word 'n damboumateriaal en -metode aangetref wat uiters koste-effektief is, 'n duursame, lae-onderhouddamwal tot gevolg het en ook besonder arbeidsintensief is. Die skrywer was alreeds betrokke by 'n aantal RMC-damme, waarvan drie - naamlik Bakubung, Welgevonden en Genadendal - tot op detailontwerp of verder gebring is. Hierdie artikel het ten doel om die ondervindinge en interessante verskynsels wat tydens die ontwerp en konstruksie van hierdie tipe damme teegekom is, toe te lig.
Introduction
The completion in 1996 of two significant rubble masonry concrete (RMC) dams in South Africa heralded the arrival of a cost-effective, lowmaintenance, labour-based method of dam construction. RMC construction has been demonstrated to be entirely appropriate in the current local environment, in which an overriding need for employment creation and skills development has been identified as an essential component in redressing previous social imbalances.
This paper has been compiled to present some experience gained to date in RMC dam design and construction in South Africa. Very little published data is available describing RMC dams in Zimbabwe, where such construction has been in practice for a number of years. As this technology is likely progressively to gain favour in South Africa over the...