Operation & maintenance |


it is. There are so many different tools, like towers, spines, extension kits and rail systems, that take hydrodemolition to areas not possible to reach with other methods. The Gross Dam Reservoir Expansion project in Colorado in the US is a good example of how Hydrodemolition accesses challenging areas and quickly removes large amounts of concrete. The dam face is about 300ft tall and required 18,849m2 (203,000ft2


) of concrete removal, which makes you


wonder how to remove that much concrete that far off the ground. But that’s where hydrodemolition comes in – to make the seemingly impossible possible. The crew was equipped with hydrodemolition robots, frames and a spine to attach to the dam face. The cutting head was mounted to an excavator boom reaching over from the top of the dam to remove concrete on the dam face. The crew achieved 111-plus m2 (1,200-plus ft2


) of removal per hour without putting


any crewmembers in potentially dangerous situations suspended in the air.


Above: Contractors turned to hydrodemolition to remove 18,849m2


(203,000ft2) of


concrete 91.44m (300ft) high on the face of Gross Dam in the US. Photo courtesy of Aquajet


used a water filtration system to recirculate the


water back into the robot. This creates environmental benefits from a number of angles. To start, it removes the need to constantly replenish the water supply. In turn, that reduces fuel consumption by eliminating the trips needed back and forth to not only haul in fresh water, but also to haul wastewater off-site with a vacuum truck. So, even with the concern that hydrodemolition water can contaminate sensitive areas, it can be a very environmentally clean process when treating the water properly with a water filtration system.


Below: Using a water treatment system, crews can treat and safely release wastewater or create a closed loop system to recycle the treated water back into the hydrodemolition robots to greatly reduce the amount of water needed for the job. Photo courtesy of Water Blasting and Vacuum Services.


How does hydrodemolition minimise the risk of microcracking or structural damage to remaining concrete, and why is this important for dam safety and long-term performance? By nature, the high-pressure water jet used in hydrodemolition is impact-free and causes very little vibration to the concrete structure. The water jet penetrates the concrete surface like a rapid erosion as it pressurises and widens existing pores and microcracks. The material is removed as the pressures builds up and exceeds the compressive strength of the concrete. Dams are a crucial piece of infrastructure. They should be maintained with the best possible method that will lead to the longest and highest-strength structural life, which is what hydrodemolition accomplishes. Giving these structures the longest life possible also provides a financial incentive to asset owners for not having to make more repairs every few years.


Are there particular hydropower applications or structures where hydrodemolition delivers the greatest value compared to traditional techniques? Productivity and accessibility are two areas where the value is greatly realised. The larger the concrete surface, the better it is to use a robotic method like hydrodemolition due to how much faster it removes material. Each area of a hydropower facility presents its own set of challenges. Contractors are faced with repairing inclined surfaces, vertical surfaces, overhead surfaces and confined areas on dam faces, spillways, intakes, sections of the powerhouse itself – it’s not just everyday flatwork. It can be intimidating trying to figure out how repair in all these areas will be possible, but that’s why hydrodemolition equipment is engineered the way


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Can you share examples or lessons learned from hydropower projects where Aquajet’s solutions have delivered measurable benefits in terms of lifecycle extension, reduced downtime, or environmental protection? Another notable project comes to mind in Manitoba, Canada, where safety, productivity and sustainability were especially crucial. The Keeyask Generation Project required 140m3


(4,944ft2 ) of removal. The crew


used hydrodemolition daily for a nearly 12-hour shift, working in 3.7m-wide (12ft-wide) sections to demolish the damaged portion of a concrete pier. Using a Hydrodemolition robot, the crew removed an average of 4m3


(141ft3 ) over a 12-hour shift without disrupting


the timeline of the overall project. Environmental protection was a cornerstone of the project, so with hydrodemolition specified, it was necessary the contractors properly collected and treated wastewater. But rather than treating and releasing it, the crew opted to use a water filtration system as part of a closed loop system to recycle the treated water back into the hydrodemolition robot to reduce the amount of water needed and greatly enhance the project’s sustainability. The crew estimated they recycled 5,016m3


(1.325 million gallons) of water throughout the project.


Looking ahead, how do you see the role of hydrodemolition evolving as hydropower operators focus more on sustainability, asset longevity, and climate resilience? I see hydrodemolition becoming a standard, best practice methodology. It’s faster, so it has a positive effect on deadlines and budgets. It can remove concrete on virtually any surface above or below water, addressing access challenges. There’s no dust and the equipment is remote-controlled, enhancing worksite safety. Contractors are successfully completing projects in sensitive areas and meeting environmental requirements. And it’s offering the preservation of structures rather than replacement, which is both fiscally and environmentally responsible. At this time, asset owners, engineers and contractors are still gaining experience with hydrodemolition. But as they continue to learn about it, they will recognise how it aligns with their priorities, and it will become standard practice.


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