Introduction: Miniature Concrete Hoover Dam
In this lesson, we'll create a little version of a working arch dam similar to the Hoover Dam. On the boundary of the American states of Nevada and Arizona, in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, sits the Hoover Dam, a concrete arch-gravity structure.
The Hoover Dam was formerly the tallest dam in the world. In this video, you may learn how to build a dam.
Supplies
We used simple items, like these, to build this dam.
1) Steel wires
2) Sun board sheet
3) Geared Motor
4) Cement
5) Sand
6) Water
7) 3d Printer
Step 1: Excavation and Foundation
For this arch dam, hilly terrain is first required. using tools to excavate a 2 foot curve similar to picture 1. Then cut cardboard in accordance with the ground you dug up and drill holes for steel wire reinforcement.
Steel wires are used in place of steel bars. Vertically insert steel bars into each hole. Place the horizontal steel bars at a distance of 1 inch after the vertical steel bars.Then use tiny wire to connect these bars.
Then Remove the cardboard reinforcement from the base.
Step 2: RCC of Foundation
Utilizing cement, sand, and water, create RCC for foundation filling. After that, carefully add foundation with this mixer, and wait 24 hours for it to set.
Step 3: Foundation Formwork
Then, take some steel bars, arrange horizontal stirrups as shown, and connect with thin wire.
After that, cut a sun board sheet to the formwork's size and curl it around the steel bars.
Step 4: Support and RCC of Formwork
After that, support the formwork and prepare a cement and water mixer. Carefully fill this formwork with the RCC mixer. For RCC, use the Mini Vibrator to avoid bubbles.
Give the concrete another 24 hours to harden.
Step 5: Remove Formwork
When ought formwork to be taken down?
Concrete formwork removal, also known as strike-off or stripping of formwork, should only be done once the concrete has developed adequate strength, which is at least twice as much stress as the concrete may experience when the formworks are removed.
Remove the support first, and then carefully remove the sunbord sheet. The concrete has a beautiful polish.
Step 6: Doors
Then make two motorized sliding doors sing 3d printer for the water storage's outflow. If you don't have a 3D printer, you can still create these doors by hand. Placed on this structure after being made, the doors have formwork on either side of them.
Attachments
Step 7: Doors RCC
Fill the concrete mixer with the formwork and allow it to set for 24 hours. Next, remove the formwork as shown in the images.
Step 8: Second Formwork
Get steel bars and arrange them horizontally as in photographs after that. Next, cover both sides of the formwork with a sunbord sheet. Add a sunbord sheet road to this dam so that both cars and people can pass across it.
Step 9: RCC of Road
Then make a concrete mixer and carefully fill it. To prevent bubbles on concrete, use a vibrator. Give this concrete 24 hours to set. After that, delete the formwork shown in the picture. The finished Curved dam is visible.
Step 10: Automation of Doors
We used a miniature geared motor to open and close these dam doors. Incorporate a microgeared motor into the shell and attach a wire. The screw of these sliding doors is attached to the shaft of the gear motor. Doors open and close when we turn the gear motor in a clockwise direction.
Step 11: Road Railling
For safety, install railing along this road of doors.
Step 12: Working
It is now time to put this dam into action. Fill this dam's backside with water. Then press the door opener to let the doors of this curve dam open. You can see the water moving.
Watch the entire video for a step-by-step reference.
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33 Comments
Question 5 months ago on Step 12
Answer 5 months ago
For swimming pool and hydro power you need to make minimum 20 feet wide and 10 feet tall.
Reply 4 months ago
thanks for the info
4 months ago
I can't wait to have grandchildren to do this project with them. Simply brilliant.
4 months ago
This is just an amazing idea. It s the way how to create a small version of an arch dam similar to the Hoover Dam using basic supplies such as steel wires, sun board sheet, cement, sand, water, and a 3D printer. The steps include excavation and foundation, RCC of foundation, foundation formwork, support and RCC of formwork, removing the formwork, making motorized sliding doors with 3D printing, RCC of doors, second formwork, RCC of road, automation of doors, and installation of road railing. The process is shown through images and instructions.
Reply 4 months ago
Thanks
Question 5 months ago on Introduction
Hi great build. How did you fasten the bolt to the motor shaft? There is only part of the door in the .stl file can you give me the stl files for the red and blue parts of the door I would appreciate it much. I dig the way you incorporated the tower crane and the truck.
best
Thetasample
Answer 5 months ago
Updated with remaining stl files.
Answer 5 months ago
Ok
Reply 5 months ago
Do you have the additional STL files
Reply 5 months ago
Hi Just to follow up, your doors stl file only has the outer frame . can you send me all of the door stl files please? BTW, I have a tower crane just like yours. my e-mail is chhortonxyz@gmail.com
Thank you
5 months ago
Brilliant and fun. Great attention to detail!
Reply 5 months ago
Thanks
5 months ago
Very, very cool project. Great job.
Reply 5 months ago
Thanks
5 months ago
Where did you hire the mixer?
Obviously specialise in small batches.
Very nice job.
Turbine hall next?
Reply 5 months ago
Ok
5 months ago
This is my all time favourite 'Instructable'. I am so glad to see that the child in you is still alive (that was absolutely meant as a compliment) as well as the Engineer. I love gardening, and that was once described as adults playing in the dirt.
Top job, well done
Reply 5 months ago
Thanks 👍
5 months ago
I'm never going to build anything like this (maybe ...), but I just had to ad it as a favorite—because I love it! Great work, much fun with the cement truck and crane :^)