Some special solutions applied in the design of an earth dam founded in soft clayeymaterials are commented. This dam, named Mamoral has 13.50 m maximum heightand 515 m crest length. In order to reduce the dam body cracks risk because offoundation settlements expected long time after dam erection the filling materials musthave a relative high plasticity index (PI = 16…20) and a moisture content during pouringwith 2…3% over Woptimum such as obtained through Standard Proctor Tests. Thebottom outlets structure was analysed in two variants. In order to reduce the settlementsof the bottom outlets foundation, two technologies for improving the foundation stiffnesswere taken into account. They consist in (1) grouting of the sodium silicate andeventually of the calcium-chloride solutions or (2) performing a deep compaction byrepeated blowing of a heavy weight. The final technological solution follows to beselected in correlation with in situ experimental tests, cost and past experience.
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