75th Anniversary |
Pioneering innovation in hydropower solutions
In an interview with Carpi Tech, IWP&DC delves into the company’s journey from its
roots in waterproofing to becoming a leading force in hydropower innovations. Explore the company’s motivations, challenges faced, and groundbreaking advancements, shedding light on its collaborative approach, sustainability initiatives, and future plans in the ever-evolving landscape of hydropower technology
What were the initial motivations behind Carpi Tech’s entry into the hydropower industry, and how have these motivations influenced the company’s growth? Carpi was established in 1963 as a contractor specializing in waterproofing special roofings and small basins with synthetic geomembranes. Creativity and foresight, which were in the DNA of the company since the beginning, and the proximity to a mountainous area (the western Alps of Italy) rich in large water management structures needing rehabilitation, led the company to develop and patent special geomembrane systems and anchorage devices that could be used in larger projects. Gradually, Carpi’s focus shifted towards the rehabilitation of large hydropower dams and canals, where its new techniques could provide significant benefits not only to the hydropower and water management industry, but also to the company itself. This growth trajectory led Carpi to expand into other Alpine nations, buoyed by the success of its pioneering projects.
Can you elaborate on a particularly challenging project from Carpi Tech’s past and how the company overcame obstacles to achieve success?
Below: Miel I RCC dam, 188m high, Colombia
Miel I dam in Colombia, 188m high and at that time the highest RCC dam in the world, was a very
challenging project. The dam was designed with an upstream slip-formed reinforced concrete facing. To meet contractual schedule, this facing was modified to a Carpi exposed geomembrane system placed on a 0.4m thick layer of grout enriched RCC. To further expedite construction of the water barrier, it was decided to install the geomembrane system concurrent with construction of the dam. The height of the dam required dividing installation in six separate horizontal sections, in function of the horizontal drainage compartmentation, with the geomembrane installed in a lower section while the RCC works were ongoing in the section above. A special railing system had to be designed to support and protect the travelling platforms from which workers carried out installation of the geomembrane system. To accurately monitor the performance of the geomembrane, a face drainage system was provided, divided in separate horizontal and vertical sections, for a total of 45 separately drained compartments. Waterproofing works started on October 8, 2001, and were completed on September 7, 2002, covering a total 31,453m2
of exposed geomembrane. Staged installation
allowed for completing the waterproofing system and starting reservoir impounding while civil works were still ongoing at crest. We are proud to say that the average leakage registered from the entire geomembrane’s drainage system has so far been of 2 l/sec.
How has Carpi Tech’s collaboration with other industry stakeholders evolved over time, and what impact has this had on project outcomes? From the outset, Carpi has consistently tried to work in close collaboration with the owners and the consultants involved in each project. This is done for the sake of the project, to ensure that the best solution is selected and implemented. Over the years, this cooperation has increased the confidence of owners and designers in our systems and in our reliability. Mutual respect has fostered stricter cooperation, sometimes providing improvements in design of the geomembrane system, and in some cases also optimising the design of the dam itself. Carpi has also always worked in close contact with its suppliers, fostering the development of high- performance products tailored to its specifications, such as geomembrane having outstanding durability for exposure to demanding environments, synthetic drainage materials, different types of anchorage
30 | May 2024 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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