Why are the walls of a dam thickened near the base?

Answer 1

Dams are built broader at the base for two reasons. The first is because it needs to be stable enough to support the dam, and two, the bottom of the dam needs to be able to deal with the increased pressure of the water, as you get further down.

So basically, they're thicker at the bottom mostly for aesthetic reasons, but luckily this also means they're stronger at the bottom which is where the water pressure is greatest - definitely a bonus.

A:Two reasons:

1. Particular to dams, the lower part of the structure must hold back the lower levels of water, which are at higher pressure than the upper levels of the water. Higher water pressure on the base of the dam needs greater strength to hold it back.
2. The base of the dam must support the weight of all the structure above it. Even if it was not a dam, but just a tower (or a pyramid), the lower sections must be stronger, and higher sections can be weaker because there is less weight above them.

A:Water pressure is greater at the base than the surface. A:Can you imagine if it was the other way around, thicker at the top? That would look pretty stupid and would ruin the beginning of the movie 'Goldeneye' where James Bond slides down the sloping dam wall - instead he'd fall off and face instant death.

Answer 2

it is because the lower part of the dam has a lot of pressure so its base is made thicker. >_<

Answer 3

why are the walls of a dam thickened near the base

Answer 4

Water pressure

The further down, the more pressure -

so more wall strength needed