Overall scientific research in the USSR in the field of hydropower construction

Abstract

1. The development of overall scientific research in the USSR for the justification of design and construction of hydraulic engineering and hydropower installations is inextricably linked with bringing to life the Go\'elro plan in the field of hydropower and water supply, the five-year plans for the development of the economy, and subsequent large-scale plans for the multipurpose utilization of the water resources of the country. 2. Overall scientific research in the field of hydraulic engineering and hydropower brings out all aspects of the performance of future installations and the multiplicity of the phenomena and processes occurring. This type of research has enabled Soviet experts to resolve many problems in hydraulic engineering construction and to introduce new types of hydraulic installation on soft and rock foundations, employing advanced methods of organization and performance of construction, taking into account the special climatic conditions and unique nature of the installations. Overall investigations have resulted in advances in Soviet hydraulic engineering science with respect to a number of problems. On the basis of these investigations, big engineering advances have been made in Soviet hydraulic construction. 3. Large-scale overall investigations have brought about substantial savings in construction, amounting to 10% of the cost of a hydroscheme. 4. The work carried out throughout the country in the coordination of scientific work in the field of hydraulic engineering and hydropower has resulted in more effective and clear-cut organization of overall scientific research, as regards both extending the range of problems studied and the composition of the teams, and with respect to the time taken to complete the work and apply the results, and with respect to optimum utilization of the available key scientists and experts, research, stations, and their equipment. These facts are very important considering the scale of hydraulic engineering construction at present and in the future in the Soviet Union, for meeting the needs of all branches of the economy, including power, agriculture, industry, fisheries, transport, etc.