Investigation of the Geological and Geotechnical Characteristics of Daroongar Dam, Northeast Iran

This paper discusses the results of the engineering geological and geotechnical investigations that have been carried out at the Daroongar dam site. According to the geomorphology and geological conditions and economic reason, the dam has been designed as an earth dam with a clay core. The dam foundation is composed of a sequence of sandy limestone and limy marl of the Upper Cretaceous period. This study is based on field and laboratory investigations, surface discontinuity surveying, drilled borehole data and permeability of dam foundation. The present studies include the evaluation of the dam foundation by water pressure tests. The water pressure tests indicate the necessity to provide a grout curtain below the dam foundation.The geology of the Daroongar dam foundation has a significant influence on the permeability and groutability characteristics. The permeability of jointed rock masses is strongly depended on joint characteristics; degree of jointing, opening, continuity and presence of filling materials. The laboratory tests included tests for unit weight, porosity, uniaxial, triaxial, tensile strength and deformation parameters. The strength and modulus of elasticity of rock masses were determined using the Hoek–Brown empirical strength criterion. The rock mass qualities and classifications of the dam site is assigned using the rock mass rating (RMR), the rock quality (Q) and the geological strength index (GSI) classification systems.