RCC dams: Past, present and future

RCC dams have essentially superseded traditional concrete gravity and arch-gravity dams. Although the former are more economic than traditional concrete dams, there is significant room for improving the efficiency of the placement of the RCC, providing a further cost advantage. There is also room for more efficient design of the mixture proportions of the RCC with a reduced Portland cement content and a significant increase in the use of SCMs (supplementary cementitious materials). Both of these changes will reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is also recommended that hydrogen-fuelled plant should eventually supersede diesel plant on the construction sites of all dams.