Question

For a masonry dam of base width b, at which location w.r.t. the central line, should the resultant loading intersect the sections to avoid tension in any horizontal section?

• A. Outside of $b/6$
• B. Within $b/6$
• C. Within $b/8$
• D. At the central line

Answer 1

The correct option is B Within $b/6$

This is known as Middle Third Rule which says the maximum value of eccentricity that can be permitted on either side of the centre is equal to $b/6$ so that tension does not develop in any
horizontal section.