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Some resources have pre-requisites; where this is the case, you'll be able to access any required resources through the Pre-requisites section.
Topic areas
Mechanical engineering
- Forces
- Moments
- Pressure
- Reaction
Mathematics
- Algebra
- Areas and volumes
- Arithmetic
- Integration
Pre-requisites
None for the main activity, however it may be useful to look at the resource ‘Centre of gravity, reactions and stability’ and ‘Friction and sliding’ for the stretch and challenge activity.Problem statement
Dams are important engineering constructions and are found all around the world. When designing a dam, an engineer must ensure that its construction will be strong enough to hold back the weight of water that will accumulate behind it. How can an engineer determine the force exerted by the water?
Interactive
Drag the Dam height button