Concrete block dams are employed to ensure the safety of construction works in area affected by landslide or volcano eruption. Their design follows the conventional methods applied to concrete Sabo dam structures. It is implicitly assumed that all blocks are binded rigidly. However, the validity of the assumption has not been investigated. This study presents an analysis of the distinct element method to examine the differences between the conventional concrete dam and the concrete block dam in terms of the distribution shape and magnitude of ground bearing stress from viewpoint of assessment. Some disadvantageous points of concrete block dam are pointed out from viewpoint of bearing stress or stability.