Construction of roller compacted concerete dam: a case study at Batu Hampar dam

Abstract

Rapid and economical construction are among numerous advantages of the construction of roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam compared to conventional dam. However, the complex process of RCC dam construction is facing difficulties due to lack of understanding and involvement from the local construction industry player since this type of construction in Malaysia is still new. Therefore, this paper presents the process of RCC dam construction in Malaysia. Site observation and the review on literature of RCC dam construction was conducted to get the real view on the construction process of such project. The expert panel interview was conducted to get the view on RCC dam construction. Panel interview result was analysed and supported with the literature to gather the process of RCC dam construction. From the result analysis, the construction processes which consist of determination of mix design, RCC production and RCC placement is presented. The new technology is adopted for the construction of gravity dam and the technology is known as roller compacted concrete (RCC). Reference [1] stated that RCC has been rapidly developing over the past 40 years and now is commonly used for gravity dam application. Recently, Malaysia started adopting RCC technology to the gravity dam construction. With the fact that the construction of RCC dam is still new in Malaysia, the understanding on such construction is very limited among local construction industry player. The first RCC dam in Malaysia is Kinta dam which is situated in Ipoh and constructed by Japanese contractor (Hazama Corporation). It was completed in 2007. In 2008, the construction of Batu Hampar dam is started which is the second RCC dam project in Malaysia. Dekon Sdn. Bhd, the local contractor who had no previous experience of RCC dams was selected to construct the dam. The government intention to develop local knowledge or expertise of RCC instead of recourse to international contractor is the main reason why Dekon was selected [2]. The understanding and involvement from the local construction player is still at the early stage. Therefore, the construction personnel such as engineer, the supervisor, the technician, until the general workers has very limited knowledge on the RCC dam project that leads to difficulties. Hence, there is a need to capture the knowledge of RCC dam construction. This study will serve as an avenue for further understanding the construction of RCC dam among the local construction industries player. This paper presents the process of the construction of Roller Compacted Concrete Dam in Malaysia with Batu Hampar dam in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan as the case study since Malaysia has just started to adopt the RCC dam technology in the construction of the Dam project. The scope of this study is focused on construction stage of RCC dam project. This study involves interview sessions with the professional and semi-professional construction personnel who were involved in RCC dam project in Malaysia.