INVESTIGATION OF THE TECHNICAL CONDITION OF WATER DISCHARGE DEVICES OF HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES

Abstract

Problem statement. Hydrotechnical structures undergo a process of inspection for their technical condition. This is necessary to maintain the durability of the structure. In the process of operation, structural defects occur, which are difficult to examine and investigate, due to the impossibility of access for visual inspection. Such defects include those formed in the body of gravity-type earth dams. This applies, first of all, to structures and devices that are located in the body of dams during their construction. They include, in particular, spillways and pipelines. Defects in these structures lead to leakage of water into the body of the dam, which eventually collapses from the inside. Timely detection of defects prevents the destruction of dams due to urgent repairs, and this extends the durability of the structure. The purpose of the article is to develop an analytical-instrumental method of finding, without destroying the body of the dam, erosional, loosened areas in leakage zones, and determining their volumes. Method. A modern method of geophysics, which is electrotomography, is used. As a theoretical justification, the method of the Earth's natural pulsed electromagnetic field (MENPEF) was taken as a basis. The result of the research is the development of a methodology using the methods of engineering geophysics: the method of the Earth's natural pulsed electromagnetic field (MENPEF) and geoelectric tomography. Scientific novelty lies in the fact that the method was developed for the first time for the examination of earth dambs spillways. Practical value. With the help of the developed method, in the future it will be possible to conduct surveys for earth dams of hydrotechnical structures for all organizations that are engaged in such work and have the necessary tools. Conclusions. An analytical-instrumental method of researching the sections of earth dams that cross the structures of ponds spillways and reservoirs has been developed. The location of the loosened soil halo around the spillway pipes inside the body of the earth dam was identified, and the volume of such soil was determined.