1998 – Monitoring Dam Performance Using Tiltmeters

Categories: 1998, Papers Tags: 1998, M O'Reilly, P F Foster, S A L Read, Tiltmeters

M O’Reilly, S A L Read and P F Foster

Electronic (bubble) tiltmeters provide an up-to-date technique for continuously monitoring the deformations of dam and dam-related structures. Tiltmeters, with a sensitivity of (10Imm per length), are currently used in New Zealand at the high concrete gravity Waitaki Dam, and the Ohau A Powerhouse, as well as a short-term installation in the high concrete gravity Aviemore Dam.

This paper outlines the performance of the tiltmeters over a period of up to 7 years. They have been used to monitor the reactions of structures to loading changes such as headwater level variation, and to monitor ongoing performance, including the definition of annual thermal cycles. The results are compared with other monitoring techniques (e.g. plumblines, conventional surveying) to illustrate the usefulness and applicability of tiltmeters to dam safety programmes, either in conjunction with standard monitoring options, or in particular where such options may not be practicable.

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1998 Papers

1998 – Risk Assessment for Hume Dam – Lessons from Estimating the Chance of Failure
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Leonard A McDonald and Chi Fai Wan

A risk assessment has been undertaken as part of a comprehensive review of the safety of Hume Dam. Use of risk assessment techniques, to assist in evaluating the safety of existing dams, is a relatively recent trend. Hume Dam was a particularly challenging subject for the application of risk assessment techniques at their present stage of development. The challenge lay in the number and diversity of dam elements to be analysed, in the number and complexity of the potential failure modes and in the fact that there were significant safety issues under normal operating conditions.

This paper outlines some of the key lessons learned from that phase of the risk assessment that was concerned with estimating the chance of dam failure. Some of the issues discussed have not previously been addressed in the literature and some demonstrate a clear need for improved analysis procedures.
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1998 Papers

1998 – Repair of Two Dams Suffering Leakage – Two Case Studies
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Nikifor Petrovic

One of the most important issues during design and construction of an earthfill dam is how to secure a dam against unwanted events which may occur as a result of water flow (uncontrolled seepage, leakage & piping) through the dam.

Although earthfill dams are the largest by volume compared with other types of dams and they are designed to cope with seepage, their integrity is most sensitive to the effects which may be caused by it. The reason being that the earthfill materials are generally extremely heterogeneous and only one “unwanted” pocket is enough to create problems.

Another critical area is the foundation. In many situations it is not possible to avoid the complex geology which includes faults and joints as part of the foundation. An additional complication may be the presence of dispersive clay in the foundation.

In the area of tailings dams, the problems with seepage are slightly reduced as in most cases, tailings provide a degree of sealing. Tailings dams are very often designed as leaky dams. However, there is a hidden danger in approaching the design this way as at any stage of their lives they can retain water.

This paper presents two case histories of repairs carried out to tailings dams suffering leakage. One case describes leakage through the embankment wall while the other describes seepage through the foundation which contains dispersive soil.
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1998 Papers

1998 – Characterisation of AAR-Affected Concrete From Dam Structures for Rehabilitation Purposes
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A Shayan

Alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) is a potentially deleterious process in concrete containing reactive aggregates, and can lead to varying degrees of cracking in structures, and differential movement and misalignment of concrete elements and mechanical installations. The rehabilitation of affected structures would require information on the extent of current damage and possibility of on-going damage that could be caused by AAR.

Information on the characterisation of concrete components of an AAR-affected dam and estimation of their future potential for further expansion and cracking are provided and repair options discussed in this paper.
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1998 Papers

1998 – Developments in Extreme Flood Estimation Techniques – Hume Dam: A Case Study
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J. H. Green and P. I. Hill

Early Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) studies and spillway adequacy assessments for Hume Dam adopted the standards based approach of the time. Since then considerable work and thought has gone into the estimation of extreme floods – both the philosophy and the practice. These changes include the general change in emphasis away from a standards based approach and towards risk assessment; the move towards an AEP-neutral approach for the transformation of extreme rainfalls to extreme floods; and the redefinition of both the PMP and the PMF.

This paper details the effect these and other changes to extreme flood estimation techniques have had on the perceived adequacy of the Hume Dam spillway to pass extreme floods.
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1998 Papers

1998 – Remedial Works for Seepage and AAR Control by Using Watertight Geomembranes
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M Scuero and Gabriella L Vaschetti

The use of watertight synthetic geomembranes as waterproofing and protection elements for all types of dams started in Europe in the late 1950s and has since been widely applied all over the world as long term repair measure, or as the only element providing watertightness since the design and construction stage.
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