Abstract: Roller compacted concrete (RCC) arch dams have advantages of fast construction, low material consumption and small excavation, which is an excellent dam type for high mountainous and gorge areas. However, due to the thin layer rolling construction, the interlayer strength of RCC is lower than that of the bulk concrete, which has significant anisotropic characteristics. As the dam is hard to construct to required elevation in one dry season, the dam needs to form an arch shape temporarily to resist flood in flood season. And owning to seepage of rolling interlayers, the drainage solution in dam body is demanding. According to above technical features and difficulties of the RCC arch dam, and based on Sanliping and Yunlonghe dams, we put forward some innovation design concepts such as strong arch and weak beam dam design theory, geometric design method and control standard, new combined joint of lower inducing joint and upper transverse joint, three-dimensional grid drainage system. The research results have been successfully applied to engineering practices, promoted the progress of the construction technology of RCC high-thin arch dams, and can provide references for other dam construction.