Developments in the design and construction of asphalt core dams

The asphalt core embankment dam is gaining in popularity, as the advantages of this design become more apparent and the construction method has proved to be simple and robust. Countries like Austria, Germany, Japan, China and Norway, among others, have built many dams of this type over the last 50 years, and now Brazil and Canada are building their first ones. Recent research results and field case studies are presented, and a comparison is made among embankment dams designed with earth core, asphalt core, reinforced concrete facings, and geomembrane facings, pointing out the relative advantages and disadvantages.