Static ice loads on dams

Abstract

A 9 year field program was undertaken from 1991–1992 to 1999–2000 to (i) measure the loads in the ice sheet near a dam, (ii) measure the load distribution between a gate and a pier, and (iii) compare the loads on wooden and steel stoplogs. Parallel work was conducted to develop analytical predictors for ice loads. Much progress has been made. One of the most significant findings has been to identify the importance of water level changes on the resulting ice loads. Ice loads are much higher and more variable (compared to purely thermal loads) when significant, but not excessive, water level changes occur. Methods have been developed to predict the ice load. The algorithms predict thermal loads well. They are less accurate for loads produced by a combination of water level and ice temperature changes. An environmental model was developed, and the predictions using the model compare well with the measured data. Hindcast analyses were carried out to evaluate the distribution of expected ice temperature changes and thermal events. With respect to the loads on gates and stoplogs, an analytical method was developed to extend the results obtained in this project to other stoplog or gate configurations (i.e., spans, flexural rigidities, etc.) and pier lengths.Key words: ice loads, dam(s).