Another type of embankment is made with an asphalt concrete core. Such dams are constructed of rock and/or gravel as primary fill. Since the first such dam was completed in 1962, around 100 dams of this design have been built around the world. All asphalt concrete core dams built so far have the best performance record. The type of asphalt used is a viscoelastic plastic material that can accommodate the movements and deformations imposed on the aggregate embankment and settlements in the foundation. The elastic properties of asphalt make such dams particularly suitable in seismic areas.
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