Dam safety | Idukki Dam, India Above: Idukki Dam, India
The Idukki Dam project in Kerala, India, is a testament to the company’s dam safety and monitoring capabilities. This high-arch dam, the tallest in Asia, was constructed in 1973 and has since required sophisticated rehabilitation efforts to ensure its ongoing safety and performance. To address these needs, Encardio Rite implemented a comprehensive Real-Time Structural Health Monitoring and Early Warning System, integrating an array of advanced geotechnical and hydro-meteorological sensors, dataloggers, and robotic total stations. Along with geotechnical instrumentation, optical
Below: Highland Park Reservoir, US
targets and GNSS are incorporated, alongside UAVs equipped with LiDAR, to perform detailed 3D mapping of the dam structure. Weather stations and Interferometric SAR track environmental impacts and ground movements, providing a holistic view of the dam’s condition. In October 2021, during heavy rainfall, the
system’s real-time data facilitated timely alerts and interventions. These actions were crucial in preventing potential disasters and safeguarding the surrounding communities.
Highland Park Reservoir, US Located in Pittsburgh, PA, the Highland Park Reservoir No. 2 Dam Safety Improvement Project is a critical component of the city’s infrastructure, ensuring the safety and reliability of a significant 125-million-gallon drinking water reservoir. Initiated in 2022 by the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA), this $24 million investment focuses on replacing the aging liner, cover, and other reservoir components, which have been in service for over 120 years.
Above: Sugar Pine Dam Project, US
Encardio Rite provided the necessary instrumentation and real-time monitoring solutions for the project. The monitoring equipment and technologies were integrated with advanced ESDL- 30 dataloggers, ensuring reliable data collection and transmission to a central server via a wireless cellular network. The company’s software, equipped with Google Maps integration and graphical navigation, allows stakeholders to access near real-time data, receive instant alerts via SMS and email, and visualize the reservoir’s status through intuitive interfaces. This comprehensive monitoring solution was essential during the reservoir’s refilling phase, providing critical information and ensuring a safe and controlled operation.
Below: Hatta Dam, UAE
Sugar Pine Dam Project, US The Sugar Pine Dam in Placer County, California, serves as the primary municipal water supply for the Foresthill community. This zoned earthfill dam, completed in 1982, re-quired modernization due to outdated instrumentation. Standing at 205ft in height and spanning 689 feet in length, the dam impounds North Shirttail Creek, a tributary of the North Fork American River. In 2021, Encardio Rite were tasked with updating the dam’s monitoring capabilities. The project in-volved the installation of new heavy- duty piezometers (Model EPP-30V) to replace the
20 | August 2024 |
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aging twin-tube piezometers. These instruments provide accurate long-term data on water levels and pressures, essential for maintaining the dam’s structural integrity. The up-graded instrumentation system has significantly enhanced the dam’s safety by providing reliable data for annual reports and timely interventions.
Mangdechhu Dam Project The Mangdechhu hydroelectric project, located in the Trongsa Dzongkhag District of central Bhutan, is a significant run-of-river power plant with a capacity of 720MW. Jointly developed by the Indian Government and the Royal Government of Bhutan, the project includes:
A 101.5m-high concrete gravity dam. Intake tunnels.
A 13.54 km headrace tunnel capable of discharging 118m3
/sec.
From 2012 to 2018, Encardio Rite monitored the dam and associated structures. The scope of work included supplying geotechnical instrumentation, installation services, and online and manual monitoring of critical parameters. The project’s unique challenges included
monitoring an underground powerhouse and ensuring the stability of the 152m-high surge shaft. The advanced data acquisition system, integrated with strong motion accelerometers and a web-based data manage-ment system, provided real-time data and early warnings. The successful implementation of this monitoring solution ensured the project’s structural integrity and operational safety, contributing significantly to Bhutan’s renewable energy goals.
Hatta Dam, UAE The Hatta pumped storage hydropower project is a key component of Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050. It is located near the Hatta community, 140km southeast of Dubai. This ambitious project involves constructing a new upper reservoir 150m above Sadd Hatta Al Awwal Dam, connected by a 1.3km tunnel. The powerhouse, equipped with two units, will generate 250MW of net power over a 6hr cycle. Encardio Rite was crucial in monitoring the
project’s permanent civil works during con-struction and operation. The comprehensive monitoring system included geotechnical instruments for various structures such as the Al Awwal Dam, Main Dam, Saddle Dam, and the HP Tunnel Portal Upper Intake. Innovative instruments like the three-head piezometer, triaxial crack meter, and digital plumb lines were used to monitor groundwater conditions, uplift pressures, lateral movements, and temperature in the dam body. The advanced data collection system, featuring fiber optic cables and the in-house developed data management system, provided real-time monitoring and automated alerts. This monitoring solution ensured the safety and stability of the construction site and the existing infrastructure, reducing risks and enhancing the project’s overall success. The Hatta project underscores the importance of integrating advanced monitoring technologies to achieve long-term sustainability and safety in large-scale hydroelectric projects.
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