Written by civil engineers, dam safety officials, dam owners, geologists, hydraulic engineers, and risk analysts, this handbook is the first cooperative attempt to provide practical solutions to dam problems within the financial constraints faced by dam owners. It provides hands-on information for identifying and remedying common defects in concrete and masonry dams, embankment dams, reservoirs, and related structures. It also includes procedures for monitoring dams and collecting and analyzing data. Case histories demonstrate economical solutions to specific problems.
From earth tectonics and meteorology to risk, responsibility, and the role of government, this comprehensive and detailed book reviews current practices in designing dams to withstand extreme hydrologic and seismic events. Recommendations for action and for further research to improve dam safety evaluations are presented.
Dams are part of human achievements that induce great benefits for society but also bear a potential risk to people, property and the natural environment. The risk of a dam rupture is extremely low and diffi cult to quantify accurately. The aim of ‘Dam surveillance’ (ICOLD Bulletin 158), is to help reduce these risks by early detection of an undesirable event. The objective of dam surveillance is to make a precise and timely diagnosis of the behavior of dams, in order to prevent undesirable consequences. Both the monitoring system and surveillance program has to be designed and should be able to detect any abnormal behaviour. ‘Dam surveillance’ (ICOLD Bulletin 158), emphasizes the following aspects: • Routine visual inspection • Special inspection • Checking and testing of Hydro-electromechanical equipment • Monitoring parameters and devices • Automation • Maintenance of ageing monitoring systems • Re-instrumentation of existing dams • Recent developments • Data management • Dam documentation management • Assessment of dam condition and behaviour • Assessment of routine dam safety monitoring programme • Prioritization of maintenance, remedial and upgrading works.
The hazard posed by large dams has long been known. Although no concrete dam has failed as a result of earthquake activity, there have been instances of significant damage. Concerns about the seismic safety of concrete dams have been growing recently because the population at risk in locations downstream of major dams continues to expand and because the seismic design concepts in use at the time most existing dams were built were inadequate. In this book, the committee evaluates current knowledge about the earthquake performance of concrete dams, including procedures for investigating the seismic safety of such structures. Earthquake Engineering for Concrete Dams specifically informs researchers about state-of-the-art earthquake analysis of concrete dams and identifies subject areas where additional knowledge is needed.
"Examines the dam safety regulatory frameworks of 22 countries" and "identifies essential elements, desirable features, and emerging trends for dam safety regulatory frameworks." - cover.
This publication fills a void of practical guidelines for the construction of small earth dams. It presents readers with sound, reliable and practical source material to improve dam siting and design capacity in rural areas, to introduce a beneficiary and gender sensitive approach and to enhance safety and competence in construction. A section also provides convenient guidance on costing, drafting tenders and awarding contracts. The manual is primarily aimed at technicians and others with knowledge of engineering and basic irrigation systems and processes to apply the concepts, techniques and methods proposed, using simple and straightforward design and construction procedures.