2002 – Probabilities of Extreme Rainfall – Past, Present, and Future
J.H. Green, P.E. Weinmann, G.A. Kuczera, R. J. Nathan and E.M. Laurenson
Assigning an Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) to the Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP), and subsequently to the PMP Design Flood, is an integral part of the risk assessment process for large dams. Laurenson and Kuczera (1998) conducted a review of existing PMP risk estimation practices in Australia and concluded that, in the absence of any better information, the work by Kennedy and Hart (1984) provided the most appropriate estimates to adopt but with the proviso that the method should be viewed as interim pending the outcomes of ongoing research.
This paper gives an overview of a joint research project that is working towards obtaining credible estimates of exceedance probabilities of extreme rainfalls using the concept of storm arrival probability and storm transposition probability. It also outlines the work to be carried out over the next 12 months that will culminate in the combining of the outcomes of the two components and the application to test catchments. Finally, the paper discusses desirable follow-up action to promote the adoption of the research results by practitioners.
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Papers 2002
2002 – Catagunya Dam – Corrosion Assessment of Fully Grouted Post-Tensioned Anchors
Learn moreR.I. Herweynen and A.M. Hughes
Hydro Tasmania has a number of dams which were designed and constructed in the 1950-70s
with fully grouted, post-tensioned anchors. The method used was leading edge in its day,
however, it does not achieve the cable protection of modern methods which provide two barriers
against corrosion and are monitorable. Hydro Tasmania has developed and employed an
innovative program to ascertain the integrity and remaining life of the cables and to prepare
long term management plans for its cabled dams.An international panel was set-up to provide guidance on the overall issue, assist in developing
a sound methodology for assessing the corrosion of the anchors and advise on long-term
monitoring. To focus the efforts, Catagunya Dam was adopted as the pilot dam, as the stability
of this dam is very much dependent on the integrity of the anchors. This paper will provide a
brief overview of the project to date but will focus in detail on the main components of the
corrosion assessment of the anchors, namely:- In situ ground water testing over the entire valley section using holes drilled for piezometers.
- Laboratory testing carried out by CAPCIS in the UK to simulate potential corrosion rates
using actual ground water samples collected. - In situ potentiostatic polarisation testing used to determine instantaneous corrosion rates forthe test anchors.
The paper also provides a brief summary of the instrumentation installed at Catagunya Dam to
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assist with the long-term monitoring of the dam. -
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Papers 2002
2002 – Water for the Environment? Providing Environmental Flows in the Onkaparinga River
Learn moreM. Shirley, P. Hill, S. Hannon, B. Abernethy, H. Griffith and S. Gatti
There is an ever increasing focus on the impact of water resource infrastructure, and particularly dams, on downstream hydrology and hence ecology. Over the last few years this focus has led to the rapd development in the philosophy and techniques for estimating the requirements of water dependent ecosystems.
This paper outlines the application of a new framework for estimating environmental water requirements which results in a range of flows, rather than a single recommended flow. Furthermore, a range of strategies for providing this water to the environment will be explored.
The paper uses the current environmental flows study on the Onkaparinga River Catchment for the Onkaparinga Catchment Water Management Board to illustrate the issues and application of the methodology. The natural hydrology of this catchment has been impacted by pumping of water from the River Murray, a major dam (Mt Bold) and the diversion of flow at Clarendon Weir. This substantial multi-disciplinary study over 3 years is estimating environmental water requirements and the strategies for providing this water to the environment.
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Papers 2002
2002 – Dartmouth Regulating Dam – Increasing the Full Supply Level
Learn moreRussell Hawken, Peter Buchanan, Doug Connors, Bill Hakin
Dartmouth Regulating Dam is located on the Mitta Mitta River, approximately 8 km downstream of
Dartmouth Dam. The dam is a 23 m high concrete gravity structure with a 60 m long central spillway
section. The dam forms the storage required for regulating releases from the Dartmouth Power
Station back to the Mitta Mitta River, so as to satisfy environmental requirements. Dartmouth
Regulating Dam and Power Station are owned and operated by Southern Hydro Limited, the largest
hydropower generator in Victoria.To allow greater flexibility in their generation and hence a better response to the peaks in electricity
demand, Southern Hydro investigated the possibility of increasing the full supply level of the dam.
After an initial assessment of the economic benefits a detailed review of raising options was
undertaken, including different proprietary products and conventional spillway gates. Following this
review it was concluded that the Hydroplus System would provide the greatest benefits when all
aspects of the raising were considered, including dam safety, long term reliability, maintenance and
cost.This paper discusses the reasons for the raising of the full supply level, the approvals process
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undertaken and the technical issues addressed during the design stage, including the required
modifications to the dam and the appropriate sizing of the Hydroplus Fusegates. -
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Papers 2002
2002 – Harvey Dam Project- Risk Management Strategies
Learn moreBob Wark, Colin Bradbury, Michael Somerford and Michelle Rhodes
The Harvey Dam project is a major component of the Water Corporation’s Stirling-Harvey Redevelopment Scheme, which was developed to provide potable water to Perth. The scheme will deliver 34 GL/annum or about 10% of Perth’s supply. The project timetable was tight. The decision to proceed with the scheme, made in June 1998, required Harvey Dam to be ready to impound water by June 2002.
Construction of the Harvey Dam was complicated by the following:
- The tight project timeline;
- The dam is located about 1.6km upstream of Harvey townsite and its population of 3000 people;
- Strict environmental constraints applied to construction noise, dust, blast vibrations and construction traffic;
- Variable ground conditions required flexibility within the contract in both the extent and type of ground treatment required;
- The need to maintain irrigation supplies throughout the construction period, from the existing aged Harvey Weir, which was located immediately upstream of the proposed dam; and
- The need to safely discharge floods at all stages of dam construction.
These and other issues required the development of risk management strategies for the project. The construction risks were allocated within the contract to provide for an equitable sharing of risk between the Contractor and the Principal. The paper describes the development and implementation of the risk management strategies and what lessons have been learnt from the process.
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Papers 2002
2002 – Seismic Assessment of Wyangala Concrete Gravity Dam and Intake Towers
Learn moreN. Vitharana, G. Bell, J. Jensen and J. Sinha
When the storage was enlarged in 1971, Wyangala Dam provided a storage of 1220Gl. The original concrete gravity dam was completed in 1936 with an initial storage of 37.5Gl. The enlargement comprised the construction of a central core earth and rockfill dam utilising the existing concrete gravity as an upstream “toe” dam. At its deepest section, the toe (concrete gravity) dam is 60m high with a base length of 40m. The rockfill dam is 85m and the full supply level is at 75m. Two cylindrical reinforced concrete intake towers were constructed utilising the crest of the toe dam as their bases.
Screening level analyses commissioned by The NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation have recommended that detailed seismic assessment of the toe dam and intake towers be undertaken. In 2001, GHD Pty Ltd undertook inelastic time-history analysis using site-specific seismic loadings. Toe dam was modelled together with the rockfill dam using a 2-dimensional model. Intake towers were modelled incorporating the composite behaviour of concrete and reinforcing steel with limited concrete strains to prevent the loss of cover concrete and the buckling of longitudinal steel. Time-history analyses supplements by conventional pseudo-dynamic analysis procedures.
This paper described the constitutive modelling, structural analysis criteria, evaluation of hydrodynamic and dynamic earth pressures and the findings.
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