CHAPTER 4

CONSTRUCTION FEATURES OF
HYDROPOWER PROJECTS

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Main Feature of Hydropower Projects
 The following are the main features of HP projects:
• Storage
• Conveyance
• Power house

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 Reservoir

 Purpose: to stabilize the flow of water in order to satisfy a

varying demand from consumers or of regulates water supplied
to a river course.
 INVESTIGATION OF RESERVOIR SITES
 The climatic, topographical and geological conditions
 Consideration must be given to the amount of:
• Rainfall
• Runoff
• Infiltration and
• Evapo-transpiration
 So the Basic data for reservoir design studies are :
• Topographical Map
• Hydrological records 3
 Reservoir

The most attractive site for a large impounding

reservoir is
• a valley constricted by a gorge at its out fall with
steep banks upstream
So that a small dam can impound a large volume of
water with a minimum extent of water spread.
However, two other factors have to be taken in to
consideration:
1. The water tightness of the basin and
2. Bank stability

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RESERVOIRS
Leakage

 The question of whether or not significant water loss will

take place is chiefly determined by the groundwater
conditions,
 More specifically by the hydraulic gradient.
 Accordingly, once the ground water conditions have been
investigated an assessment can be made of water
tightness and possible ground water control measures.

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 RESERVOIRS
Leakage

 Leakage from reservoirs takes the form of sudden increases in stream

flow downstream of the dam site with boils in the river and the
appearance of springs on the valley sides.
 It may be associated with major defects in the geological structure
such as solution channels, fault zones, or buried channels through
which large and essentially localized flows takes place.
 Apart from the conditions in the immediate vicinity of the dam, the two
factors which determine the retention of water in reservoir basins are:
 The piezometer conditions in the floor, and
 The natural permeability of the floor and flanks of the basin.

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RESERVOIRS
Leakage vs. GW condition

•1.  The groundwater divide and piezometeric level are at

a higher elevation than that of the proposed top water
level no significant water loss takes place.
2. The ground water divide, but not the piezometeric
level, is above the top water level of the
reservoirseepage can take place through the
separating ridge in to the adjoining valley.

7
RESERVOIRS
Leakage vs. GW condition

3. Both the ground water divide and piezometeric conditions are at

a lower elevation than the top water level but higher than that of the
reservoir floor.
• the increase in groundwater head is low and
• the flow from the reservoir may be initialed under condition of low
piezometeric pressure in the reservoir flanks.
4. The water table is depressed below the base of the reservoir
floor.
• This indicates deep drainage of the rock mass or very limited
seepage.

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RESERVOIRS
Leakage vs. GW condition

 Troubles from seepage can usually be controlled by exclusion

or drainage
 Exclusions:
• Cut of trenches
• Grouting
‐ Curtain grouting
‐ Consolidation grouting
• Impervious lining – Asphalt membrane
• Clay blankets
 Note: The depth of grouting hole should be more or equal to
the dam height.
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RESERVOIRS
Leakage vs. GW condition

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RESERVOIRS
Leakage vs. GW condition

Drainage:
 Any seepage water through the foundation will be
intercepted by the drain hole and brought up to a
collection drain from where water is pumped out.
 Inspection galleries
 To control the seepage along the plane of the
joints
(Construction joints) a water barrier is formed
close behind the upstream face.
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 Stages In Dam Appraisal & Project
Development Activities
ACTIVITY TIME SPAN (YEARS)

Strategic planning:
project initiation
3-20
Field Mapping, surveys,
Reconnaissance data collection

Feasibility studies Technical

1-3
and report resources, options,

Phase 1: Dam site Resrvoir site

evaluation evalaution
2-4
Confirmation of dam
type

Phase 2: Dam site

investigation
1-2

Dam design

Foundation feed 12
Construction 2-6
back
Stages In Dam Appraisal & Project
Development Activities
Phases of Project Excution
Provision of site infrastructures: Access roads,
offices, workshops, accomodation, etc.

Preparation for river diversion

Foundation excavation and preparation

Construction operation

Completion of any ancillary structures and

installation and testing of valaves, gates, etc.

Initial impounding

13
Stages In Dam Appraisal & Project
Development Activities
Sequences of Concret dam Construction

Formwork Erection

Surface preparation and placing concrete

Compaction by vibrators

Interval for initial shrinkage

Curing of the completed pour

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 Stages In Dam Appraisal & Project Development Activities
Mass concrete in dams is not subjected to compressive stresses
comparable with those developed in most other major structures.
The volume of concrete with in a dam is relatively great, however,
• requiring large pours and
• high placing rates.
Several other properties therefore rank equally with strength as
indices of quality and fitness for purpose.
The desirable characteristics for a mass concrete for use in dam
can consequently be summarized as follows.
• Satisfactory density and strength
• Durability
• Low thermal volume change
• Resistance to cracking
• Economy 15
 Constituent Materials of Concrete
 CEMENT: Ordinary Portland Cement is not recommended in dam
construction.
• The resulting temperature rise and heat gain in large pours is unacceptable
in relation to consequent problems of shrinkage, heat dissipation and
cracking.
• It is therefore preferable to employ a low heat or modified Portland cement.
 AGGREGATE:
• A maximum size of coarse aggregate of 75-100 mm is considered the
optimum with rounded or irregular natural gravels generally preferable to
crushed rock aggregates.
• In fine aggregate range, i.e. < 4.67mm size natural sands are similarly
preferable to crushed fines.
• Aggregates should be clean and free from surface weathering or impurities.

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 Constituent Materials of Concrete

 WATER:
• Water for use in concrete should be free of undesirable
chemical contamination, including organic contaminates.
• A general standard is that the water should fit for human
consumption.
 Admixtures:
• Air entraining agent, (AEA) is added to the concrete
which helps in reducing the water contents, and handling
becomes easy.
• Water reducing admixture (WRAs) is sometimes
employed to cut the water requirement, typically by 7-9%.
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 Handling & placing of concrete
 For lower lifts it may be possible to carry the concrete by
trucks.
 but for higher lifts, the concrete is to be carried by crane
arrangement, traveling overhead cable ways and Conveyor
systems.

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 Concrete Dam Construction
 The construction of concrete gravity dam consumed long
construction time due to the slow curing process of mass
concrete to avoid thermal shrinkages.
 RCC dam offers a potential of financial benefits associated with
shortening of construction period by up to 35% combined with a
lower-cost variant of concrete for large dams.
 Three approaches:
• RDLC- Rolled Dry Lean Concrete
• RCD- Rolled –Concrete Dam (Japan) – lean hearting
• RCC- Roller – Compacted Concrete – high paste content
material and known to have high PFA content

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 Construction of Embankment Dams
 The construction operations of embankment dams fall in to four
principal groups relating to:
1. Material source development:
 Opening out of borrow areas or quarries,
 Installation of fixed plants, e.g. crushers, and conveyors,
 construction of access and haulage roads, etc.
2. Foundation preparation and construction:
 river diversion,
 removal of top soil and weathered surface.
3. Fill construction: placing to materials and compaction.
4. Ancillary works construction:
 construction of spillways, stilling basins,
 culverts, tunnels and outlet works 20
 Geosynthetics in embankment dams

 Geosynthetics (geotextile and geomembranes) have

considerable potential in dam engineering given that
issues of durability in specific applications can be
resolved.
 A range of geosynthetics have been employed in a
number of different applications both in new
construction and in rehabilitation projects.
 Geosynthetics can be employed to fulfill several
different functions in embankment dams:

21
 Geosynthetics in embankment dams
1. Impermeable membranes (upstream or internal):
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and High Density Polyethylene
(HDPE) upstream membranes have been successfully
employed in dams up to 40m height.
• The membranes, typically 3-4mm thick, are laid in 4-6m wide
strips on a prepared sand bed and drainage layer, and
anchored at crest and toe.
2. Fitter and drainage
layers (seepage control):
• Relatively thick
geosynthetics with
high internal
transmissivity are
suitable for filters
or drainage layers.

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 Geosynthetics in embankment dams
3. Earth reinforcement (Stability of slopes, etc.):
• to help to contain lateral deformation and spread within
the embankment or on a soft foundation.
4. Control of surface erosion (precipitation or limited
overtopping flows)
• The use of geogrids and mats in conjunction with natural
vegetation has proved for erosion resistance.
5. Separation interlayer:
• Geosynthetics can be used to act as an interlayer
• to ensure positive separation of fill materials, at an
interface.
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 Instrumentation Objectives and Dam Safety
The principal objectives of a geo-technical
instrumentation plan may be generally grouped into
the following categories:
1. Analytical assessment
2. Prediction of future performance
3. Legal evaluation
4. Development and verification of future research and
designs
5. Operation and Maintenance Program

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 Instrumentation Objectives and Dam Safety
Instrumentation achieves these objectives by
providing quantitative data to assess:

A wide variety of instruments may be utilized in a

comprehensive monitoring program to ensure that all
critical conditions for a given project are covered sufficiently
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 Dam Safety Principle and Concepts
A. Planning and Design
 A new dam should be developed in accordance with state-of
the-art design techniques and construction practices
 Careful attention must be given to the following planning and
design considerations.
• Selection of the dam site
• Estimation of the PMF(probable maximum flood)
• Identification of earthquake source and structure,
estimation of MCE’s (Maximum Credible Earthquake) and
identification of earthquake related safety concerns
• Development of a site-specific geotechnical exploration
program
• Design of the foundation, dam, and appurtenant structures
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 Dam Safety Principle and Concepts
A. Planning and Design:
 Design of a system of instrumentation to monitor the
performance of the dam, foundation, and appurtenant
structures
 Development of an initial reservoir-filling and surveillance
plan and of reservoir drawdown criteria
 Preparation of designer’s operating criteria and
identification of special considerations to be observed during
construction and operation
 Provisions for the automatic, independent review by competent
individuals of all design decisions, methods, procedures, and
results related to dam safety
 Provisions to revise the design to make it compatible with
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conditions encountered during construction.
Dam Safety Principle and Concepts

B. Construction
 Quality construction is critical to dam safety.
 Construction personnel must be constantly alert
to recognize and recommend the possible need
for adjustments in:
 the design,
 construction materials, and
 construction practices to properly provide for actual
conditions encountered.
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Dam Safety Principle and Concepts
 The essential aspects of the construction program include:
1. Keeping construction engineers and inspectors informed of
• the design philosophies,
• assumptions, and intent of the designer with regard to
foundation excavation and treatment
• to the usage and processing of construction materials
• to the design concepts associated with the construction of
embankments and
• concrete structures and with the installation of mechanical
and electrical equipment

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Dam Safety Principle and Concepts

2. Keeping construction engineers and inspectors informed of the field

control measures and tests required to ensure quality construction
3. Maintaining an adequately staffed and equipped
materials laboratory at the dam site to meet the field
testing requirements
4. Providing a formal plan for construction inspection to
ensure that each facet of essential work is accomplished in multi
shift operations
5. Giving the Project Construction Engineer the authority to suspend
work until all site conditions different from those anticipated are
evaluated and the necessary design or construction changes are
implemented
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Dam Safety Principle and Concepts
6. Inspection and acceptation of critical work stages, by
the appropriate engineers or geologist (design and/or
technical review personnel)
7. Keeping a job diary and documentation that provides
a complete history of the work
8. Providing mapping and photographic documentation
of the construction progress and of significant events;
e.g., geologic maps and photographs of final treated
foundations.

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 Dam Safety Principle and Concepts:
for existing dam
i. Operation and Maintenance
 The O & M procedure implemented should ensure the safe
operation of the dam and provide for timely repair of
facilities.
 The essential procedures include:
1) Preparing SOP’s (Standing Operating Procedures);
2) Training personnel in both normal and emergency
operation and maintenance responsibilities and in
problem detection
3) Maintaining a written record of reservoir, waterway, and
mechanical equipment operations and of maintenance
activities
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 Dam Safety Principle and Concepts:
for existing dam

4) Testing full operation of spillway and outlet works

gates on a regular basis, using both primary and
auxiliary power system
5) Providing for public safety and for security against
vandalism of essential operating equipment
6) Establishing and maintaining communication links
with local governmental agencies and authorities
7) Preparing and maintaining current EPP’s (Emergency
Preparedness Plan)

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 Dam Safety Principle and Concepts:
for existing dam

ii. Periodic Examinations and Evaluations

 The periodic examination and evaluation of dams and
reservoirs is of considerable importance for public safety.
 The intent of conducting periodic examinations and
evaluations is to disclose conditions that can disrupt
operations or threaten dam safety early enough for these
conditions to be corrected.
Documentation on Dams:
 All significant design data, computations, and engineering
and management decisions should be documented and
retained throughout the life of a dam.
34
 Dam Safety Principle and Concepts:
for existing dam
 The documentation should cover:
 investigations and design
 construction plans and specifications & construction history
 operation and maintenance instructions and history,
 instrumentation monitoring instructions,
 structural behavior history,
 damage, repairs and improvements,
 periodic examinations and evaluations.
 Memoranda, reports, criteria, computations, drawings
and records of all major decisions regarding the design,
construction, operation and maintenance,
 safety of the dam should be permanently retained and
accessible in central file 35
End of Chapter 4

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