DAM AND HYDRAULIC STRUCTURE DESIGN/REHABILITATION

There are approximately 80,000 dams in the U.S. The great majority of these dams are relatively old because construction of medium to large dams has all but ceased in the last 30 years. Thus, there is a large dam infrastructure that increasingly requires maintenance to maintain adequated safety standards. In addition, more stringent design criteria such as the maximum flows that a dam's spillway system must be capable of handling have lead to modifications to dam crest elevations and enlargement of spillways. D'Appolonia is experienced in all aspects of dam inspection, evaluation and remediation. We have developed remedial measures to address slope failures, excessive seepage conditions, deteriorated spillway concrete, deteriorated spillway gates, and many other conditions that could pose a safety risk.



D'Appolonia designed the foundations for the float-in sections of the new Braddock Dam on the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh, PA.



Some representative D'Appolonia projects related to rehabilitation of dams and hydraulic structures are provided in the following:


EXAMPLE PROJECTS


Spillway Rehabilitation and Dam Improvements (PDF-863K)

D’Appolonia was responsible for rehabilitation of a 400-foot-long stepped spillway and for modifications to the dam and spillway to accomodate higher flows associated with a higher Probable Maximum Flood (PMF). The modifications to the dam included raising the crest of the dam by 5 feet and raising and armoring a flow-confining embankment along the spillway .

Site Exploration Study and Remediation of Failed Earthen Dam (PDF-1337K)

Following the failure of the upstream slope of an earth embankment dam during initial reservoir filling, D'Appolonia was retained to determine the cause of the problem and to develop repair measures. The repair measures included construction of an upstream buttress, repair of a damaged decant tower, installation of internal drains and modification of the emergency spillway.

Highland Park Reservoir Embankment Repair (PDF-137K)

D’Appolonia was retained by the City of Pittsburgh Department of Engineering to perform a subsurface exploration program and to develop corrective measures for the bench supporting a recreational railroad on the downstream face of the reservoir embankment. D’Appolonia designed and supervised the construction of a geogrid-reinforced granular buttress to remediate the damaged slope and restore the bench on which the railroad track was located.

Site Engineering Services for Residential Home Development (PDF-746K)

D'Appolonia was retained by the site developer to prepare a stormwater management plan for a 100-acre residential development. The work included design of a dam, spillway and reservoir for providing required storm water detention and improving the aesthetic quality of the development.


RETURN TO TOP OF PAGE