Hydrotechnical Construction Research Articles

INNOVATIVE BY-PASS SOLUTION FOR IRON GATES I TO RECONNECT THE HISTORICAL MIGRATION ROUTES OF WILD ANADROMOUS STURGEON SPECIES, IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THEIR CONSERVATION STATUS

The anadromous sturgeon species in the lower Danube are currently critically endangered and based on the studies of the INCDPM expert team and the 2022 report of IUCN-SSG (Sturgeon Specialist Group) it appears that the future prospects of these populations are unfavourable. This situation occurs mainly as a result of anthropogenic impacts, especially due to intensive fishing, poaching and hydrotechnical constructions (e.g.: dams, immersed obstacles such as the bottom sill on Bala Branch). The dams interrupted the historical spawning migration routes of these species and the bottom sill can interrupt them in the future. In this context, INCDPM has elaborated an innovative by pass solution for the Iron Gates I, based on the longterm monitoring of ultrasonically tagged sturgeons from the Black Sea to the Iron Gates. This article presents the methodology developed by INCDPM in order to ensure the implementation of the innovative by-pass solution with minimal risk of unseccesful restoration of the historical migration routes. The study aims to present the specific migration conditions and the actual routes, which have been determined by over a decade of in-situ monitoring of ultrasonically tagged specimens. Additionally, simulations of upstream migration will be conducted and GIS maps will be developed to present historical migratory routes, with consideration given to hydrodynamic conditions and climate change scenarios.

Structural Optimization of Occupational Risk Assessment in Romania: Case Study for the Activities Carried Out Within a Hydrotechnical Construction

Abstract After 18 years since the legislative changes in the field of safety and health at work introduced the obligation to assess occupational risks at all workplaces, we note that the indigenous method of the National Research and Development Institute for Labor Protection in Bucharest was quasi-generalized in applicability. Starting from this practical reality, this paper aims to offer a more synthetic and pragmatic version of the application of the method for more complex jobs/activities, in which several socio-professional categories of workers are involved, by structural optimization of the procedure for the implementation of the specific stages and tools, in order to increase the effectiveness of the assessment of occupational injury and illness risks. This finality is achieved through a case study applied to a construction activity carried out within an important hydro-technical project. The main advantages of the approach proposed by the authors are summarized.

Economic assessment of ecological damage to surface waters as a result of emergency situation

The purpose of the present research is the analysis of emergence of the most probable emergency situations on the hydrotechnical object which is long time in operation, and also economic assessment of effects of surface water pollution of emergence of the emergency situation which resulted on hydrotechnical construction on the example of Raychikhinsky state district power plant. Hydrodynamic accidents happen because of design errors, constructive defects of constructions, violations of the rules of operation, discrepancy of spillways and spillovers of water through dams more often. Besides, it is impossible to miss possibility of acts of sabotage and blows to such constructions. Hydrodynamic accidents are consequence of failure of hydrotechnical constructions therefore the uncontrollable, powerful flow of huge mass of water with high speed floods extensive territories, bearing destructions and death of people. In the provided article the main characteristics of hydrotechnical constructions of Raychikhinsky state district power plant are in detail considered, the main dangers to the population at accidents on these constructions are defined, scenarios of possible accidents and emergency situations of natural and technogenic character are considered, economic assessment of the ecological damage caused to surface waters is provided. Safety of the population and steady functioning of the main objects of economy is provided with minimizing of probability of emergence and minimization of damage from the listed dangers.

GIS technologies for assessing hydroecological state of rivers in the Aral sea basin

This article analyzes the results of a study on the difficulties and possibilities of using information technology to support the adoption of novel approaches in hydroecology and hydropower. Additionally, it examines the advancement of geographic information systems (GIS) for hydroecological and hydro-technical monitoring and their utilization as educational tools for students. Researching the utilization of information systems to develop environmentally friendly approaches for managing hydraulic infrastructure. The paper centred on the present subject of developing GIS systems for hydro-ecological monitoring, which are valuable tools for improving the information systems of the Aral Sea basin. Furthermore, it assists in optimizing models to create ecologically sustainable approaches for utilizing hydrotechnical constructions. Utilizing the amalgamation of findings from many scientific studies inside a single GIS database may be both feasible and advantageous, serving as a versatile instrument for modeling. An illustration of this methodology may be seen as a unified system where the amalgamation yields outcomes: the water-salt balancing system across all rivers in Uzbekistan. The digital mapping system and schemes are used to build ecologically sustainable methods for operating hydraulic and hydroelectric plants in Uzbekistan. The Aral Sea basin monitoring system (ASBMS) is a computerized system that uses ArcView to monitor the hydroecological quality of surface waters in the Aral Sea basin. Keywords: ecological situation, hydroecology, hydroecological maps, GIS technology, Aral Sea basin.

The Water Flow Regime in the Weir Area for Vascular and Rush Plant Species Composition

The hydrotechnical construction, damming up the riverbed, creates two zones of hydraulic conditions, which affect the water discharge and sediment transport routes, as well as plant species composition, as a habitat answer to the hydraulic regime. This study examined the diversity of the vascular and rush plant species upstream and downstream of the weir. The Świder River, a small lowland river in Central Poland, was chosen as a study area. An examined river reach was located at 21 + 340 kilometers of the Świder River. Vegetation properties, plant species, and granulometric fraction composition were recognized at chosen cross-sections along the riverbed where specific hydraulic conditions could be met. The spatial distribution of vortices, smooth or rapid flow areas, and velocity pulsations influence the biotic environment, thereby affecting the species composition, quantity, and plant diversity. In the headwater zone, an environment more favorable to grain accumulation could be met, which was mixed with organic components in an agricultural catchment area. This phenomenon leads to creating favorable conditions for increased biodiversity. The present study demonstrated that small weirs could positively affect the composition of vascular and rush plants.

Scientific Research Support for the Construction and Operation of Inwashed Tailing Dumps at Operating Sites

Accidents at mining enterprises, including tailing dumps, pose significant threats to human lives, structures, and the environment. This study focuses on designing, constructing, and operating tailing dumps in Siberia’s northern region. To ensure safety and minimize environmental impacts, comprehensive scientific monitoring and research were conducted at all stages, including design, construction, operation, and disposal. The aim was to create a uniform mass within the dam body, requiring understanding of the tailing structure and technological characteristics during placement. Parameters like particle size, distribution, density, and moisture content were considered to assess the physical and geometric properties of the tailings. Estimated monitoring was introduced as a permanent model to quickly assess the stability of hydrotechnical constructions. This involved monitoring changes in exploitation properties, structure height, beach length, and water levels. A controlled inwashing technology for subsequent dam layers was developed. Complex research facilitated the formulation of an estimated monitoring methodology and an algorithm for tailing dam formation. Practical application demonstrated high reliability and confirmed load-bearing capacity, allowing for the forecast of dam stability and safe execution. Findings led to alterations in work techniques, ensuring safe and efficient operation of tailing dams.

Research on the Sustainable Development of the Bistrita Ardeleana River in Order to Stop the Erosion of the Riverbanks and the Thalweg

The impact of dams and reservoirs on the aquatic ecosystem of rivers is a very important topic for water resource management. These hydrotechnical facilities change the natural hydromorphological regime of the rivers. This paper analyzed the hydrodynamic characteristics of an undeveloped riverbed section downstream of the Colibița reservoir, from the Bistrita Ardeleana River hydrographic basin. After processing the data obtained on the field, two hydraulic models were made using the MIKE 11 program, which aimed to identify the hydraulic parameters such as the wet section, the depth, and the water velocity. The first modeling was used for the flow rate of Q = 54.5 m3/s: the water depth was between 1.952 m and 2.559 m; and the water velocity varied between 1.148 m/s and 1.849 m/s. The second modeling was used for a flow rate of Q = 178 m3/s and showed that the water depth had values between 3.701 m and 4.427 m; and the water velocity varied between 1.316 m/s and 2.223 m/s. Following the granulometric analysis, the average diameter of the particle in the thalweg was D50 = 25.18 mm. The conclusion reached as a result of hydraulic modeling and granulometric analyses indicated that hydromorphological processes take place along the length of the analyzed sector, which have negative effects on water quality as well as on the instability of the riverbed. To make the riverbed safe along the entire studied length, we managed to identify some alternative solutions that have the role of stabilizing the banks, respectively, to stop the deepening of the thalweg. The alternative hydrotechnical constructions will increase the roughness of the riverbed, essentially reducing the water speed and increasing the favorable conditions for the retention of alluvium.

Особенности лексических единиц терминосистемы специальности «Гидротехническое строительство» или «Гидротехника»

The paper considers the specifics of the units belonging to the terminological system “Hydrotechnical construction”. The study aims to systematise the lexical units that form the terminological system “Hydrotechnical engineering” for their optimal presentation in educational materials in language for specific purposes for foreign students. The authors analyse the main groups of the specialised vocabulary of “Hydrotechnical engineering”: terms, terminological phrases, prototerms, terminoids and professionalisms. The scientific novelty of the study is the object itself, i.e. the units of the terminological system “Hydrotechnical engineering”, which were presented fragmentarily in the authors’ previous works. It is the first time that such a feature as variability of meanings characterising the terminological units belonging to the “Hydrotechnical engineering” type of language for specific purposes has been described, which largely determined the diffuseness of the boundaries of micro-fields within this terminological system. Hydrotechnical terms, their intrasystemic relationships and derivational models served as the subject of analysis. The etymological analysis made it possible to present the terminologisation and determinologisation of individual terms, using the example of which the diffuse nature of the system “Hydrotechnical engineering” was illustrated. As a result of the study, the uniqueness of one of the oldest terminological systems of the Russian language has been proved.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF WAVE DAMPENING BY A STRUCTURE OF THE HYDRO-ENGINEERING FACILITY IN COMPLETE VERTICAL PROFILE

The article decribes the issues of numerical experimental research related to the determination of the magnitude of the waves damping when they overflow through the upper structure of a protective hydraulic structure (PHS) of an incomplete vertical profile. The presented studies were carried out in order to verify the results of physical experimental studies. Physical experimental studies were carried out in the hydrowave laboratory of the Hydrotechnical Construction Department of the Odessa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture. The numerical model of the design of the PHS of an incomplete vertical profile was made similar to the conditions of the full-scale section of the coast of the Odessa Bay. The design of the PHS of an incomplete vertical profile is supposed to be located at a distance L = 200 (m) from the coastline of the protected area. At the location of the designed protective structure, the estimated water depth d = 4.0 (m). Having built the rays of refraction and transformation of waves when the waves approach the designed structure, the calculated wave height will be h = 2.4 (m); average wavelength λ = 24.5 (m); the elevation of the upper structure of the PHS with an incomplete vertical profile relative to the calm water level was taken equal to Δ Н = +1.0 (m), the width of the superstructure of the protective structure В = 4.0 (m). As a result of numerical experiments, the height of the damped wave when it overflows through the upper structure of the PHS structure with an incomplete vertical profile onto the protected water area was htr = 0.6 (m). The results of numerical simulation differ by – 3.3% from the wave height obtained during the physical experiment. The use of PHS structures of an incomplete vertical profile, in order to protect the water areas of seaports, as well as elements of the coastal infrastructure of sea cities, will increase the investment attractiveness of creating new projects of protective and coastal protection structures, due to a decrease in the elevation of the surface part.

Description of Engineering-Geological Conditions of "Khobi 2 HPP" Construction Diversion Tunnel (from pk 4+200 to pk 4+500) and Assessment of Surrounding Massif

Hydrotechnical facilities represent hard complex of structures, the design and construction of which requires a large volume of detailed engineering-geological substantiation. Using of water resources shall be carried out in complex and hydrographic network of our country is no exception in this regard. The actuality of the issue is obvious; therefore, various geological processes require special study, which is necessary condition for the rational design and construction of hydrotechnical facilities. In hydrotechnical construction practice there are many cases when, due to improper assessment of geological conditions, structure deformations, failures and sometimes cataclysms took place. The investigation territory is located in Chkhorotsku region, close to the village Mukhuri. The territory represents the hilly exposition covered with deciduous forest and is free from constructions. At the mentioned territory construction of “Khobi 2 HPP” hydrotechnical complex is considered by the project, which consists of the following: headworks, powerhouse, 6.6 km long tunnel and 0.8 km long penstock. The capacity of HPP is 45 MW.

Management of initial structuring in connection zones of concrete fillers in hydrotechnical construction

In the article, the stages of formation of joint zones during the natural hardening of hydraulic concrete, the connections between cement stone and filler surface, and the influence of the mineralogical composition of fillers and external surface parameters on the structuring of cement stone in joint zones are studied by conducting laboratory tests. The development of high-performance technologies that accelerate the structuring of cement stone in the contact zones of hydraulic concrete fillers is considered urgent, and it is considered urgent to conduct scientific and practical research on the management of the spatial structuring mechanism arranged in the contact zones of fillers. The purpose of scientific and practical research is to study the possibilities of ensuring that hydraulic concrete strength reaches 70% within two days and to study the mechanisms affecting the kinetics of structuring in the contact zone.

Evolution of ice load prediction tools for hydrotechnical construction

The article provides an overview of the historical and contemporary developments in estimating ice loads on marine structures. It first underscores the significance of accurate ice load calculations for the safety and reliability of structures, and subsequently traces the evolution of ice load estimation techniques from past standards to current international standards and guidelines. The article then delves into the limitations of traditional methods for ice load estimation, which rely heavily on empirical data, before discussing the innovative and more precise discrete element method (DEM) for ice load estimation. The article outlines the benefits of using DEM over traditional methods and explores the diverse software options available for modelling ice loads on marine structures, including commercial and open-source alternatives. The article emphasizes the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in technology and techniques for ice load estimation, highlighting the crucial role that precise and reliable ice load estimation plays in ensuring the safety and dependability of marine structures in extreme environments. Overall, the article provides a comprehensive summary of the evolution of ice load estimation techniques for marine structures, from past norms to the contemporary use of DEM and advanced software packages. It underlines the necessity of continuous research to ensure that marine structures are constructed with the highest safety levels.

Property rights on the underwater harbour hydrotechnical constructions

The Russian Federation has a large number of seas with access to the world ocean. The logical use of this fact is the development of maritime transport infra-structure as one of the cheapest per unit weight of the transported cargo. It is also worth noting that in some northern remote regions, there are still no alternatives to seasonal sea delivery. In recent decades, Russia has planned the construction and reconstruction of a large number of sea ports, including along the Northern Sea Route (NSR). From the open sources it is known that near the main way on the Northern Sea Route are: Murmansk, Dikson, Tiksi, Provideniya, Petropav-lovsk-Kamchatsky, Vladivostok; and also: Arkhangelsk, Naryan-Mar, Dudinka, Igarka, Khatanga, Pevek, Anadyr; among newly designed and planned / recon-structed: Belokamenka, Utrennii, Bukhta Sever, Tanalau. It is common for all port facilities to have an access channel or other facilities on the seabed. The presence of the facilities on the seabed introduces ambiguity in the owner's responsibilities for maintenance and service, since registration of private ownership of these objects is impossible according to the Russian law.

Structural and Functional Changes in Bacterial Population of the Lake as a Response to Hydrotechnical Construction (by Example of Opechen Nyzhne Lake, Kyiv, Ukraine)

The paper deals with structural and functional indicators of bacterioplankton and bacteriobenthos of Opechen Nizhny Lake before (2016-2018) and after (2019-2021) its hydrotechnical reconstruction and improvement of the surrounding areas are presented. The analysis of seasonal dynamics of bacterioplankton, bacteriobenthos, eutrophic and oligotrophic bacteria, bacteria with a damaged cytoplasmic membrane (dead cells) and bacteria with active electron transport chain (alive cells) number in water and bottom sediments, intensity of destruction and bacterial decomposition of organic matter in water was analyzed. Significant development of sanitary-indicative microorganisms in the lake water was revealed. The comparative analysis of the quantitative development and functioning of the bacterial population of the lake over two investigated periods was carried out. The results obtained can be used to reveal the mechanisms of formation and functioning of pollution-resistant microbial communities in anthropogenically polluted and reconstructed water bodies, as well as their role in the self-purification processes.

Modern approaches to the construction of anti-filtration elements at the base of hydrotechnical construction

The technologies of the device of anti-filtration elements in ground dams of hydrotechnical construction are considered. Currently, the following problem is relevant, which of the methods of the device of anti-filtration elements is more expedient, profitable and less time-consuming. Promising areas of innovative developments for the construction of underground dams are: the method of jet cementation; the method of injection curtains. A detailed analysis of technologies for the construction of anti-filtration elements at the Sangtudinskaya hydroelectric power station (HPP)-1 is carried out on the example of the jet cementation method. A wide range of non-ground construction materials is used to create anti-filtration elements in ground dams and non-rock foundations of dams. These are stone building materials based on binders, polymer materials, wood and even steel. However, the materials used for anti-filtration devices differ from those used in industrial and civil construction. They may differ in structure, composition, and application technology.

Algorithms for use of modeling methods in selection process of hydrotechnical construction project

This article describes the application of modeling methods to drawing up a design drawing of hydrotechnical construction associated with a topographic surface, using modern computer graphics programs, and the creation of new computer technology algorithms. This article draws several options for the design drawing of the dam, which is one of the hydrotechnical construction. The example of a dam project drawing shows simplified versions of the existing drawing rules and ways to select the most optimal option from several options for the created project drawing. The proposed algorithms are developed following modern programming languages.

Preliminary Studies of Slag and Ash from Incinerated Municipal Waste for Prospective Applications

The assessment of the possibility of using incinerated municipal waste, which is classified as non-hazardous, is a priority of the European zero waste strategy. The aim of this work was to identify the properties of slag and ash to develop a simple, targeted way of using post-process waste. The material was analyzed by microscopic methods in terms of composition and internal structure. Gas and water permeability tests were carried out. Slag and ash texture was obtained using densimetric methods. BCR sequential extraction was carried out to assess the impacts of the waste on the water and soil environment. It was shown that individual fractions were characterized by different compositions and pore contents. The increase in the waste layer density resulted in porosity reduction of the slag and post-process ash, which had a significant impact on permeability. The increase in density index from 0.92 to 0.98 resulted in reduction of the filtration coefficient by two orders of magnitude. The obtained results showed that the division into fractions is important for prospective applications of incinerated municipal waste. With very low permeability and negligible leachability of heavy metals, the characteristics of slag and ash predispose them to support the needs of specialized hydrotechnical construction.

Milestones of the history (to the 95-th anniversary of the V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute)

The article considers the logic and periods of V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute development as well as the driving forces during the mentioned periods and the most important outcomes and tasks for the near future. One can distinguish four main periods in the history of the Institute, they are: organization, sustainable development, survival, revival. Some factors like scientific and organizational structure of the Institute, its contribution to the development of theoretical and applied soil science are considered as the indicators typical of each period. Firstly, the Institute structure during the initial organization period shows the priority of fundamental soil research in the leading areas: soil physics, soil chemistry, soil genesis, biology, etc. Advanced development of theoretical research allowed scientists to promptly respond to actual needs of the developing country: search for soil resources for cultivation of technical crops, development of new territories, land reclamation and hydrotechnical construction. By the 1970s a kind of sustainable scientific and organizational structure had finally formed in the Institute. In the early 90s, the Soil Science Institute entered a critical phase of development. The second decade of the XXI century became a turning point in its fate. A new strategy in the development of scientific activities of the Institute was sorely needed. The new strategy consisted of three interrelated elements. The first one was modernization of the material and technical basis for researches; the second one was strengthening of the human resources potential through attraction of motivated young researchers; and the third one was in establishing unilateral and multilateral interactions between the partners – users of scientific knowledge. The main areas of interaction were the topical issues: food security, global climate change and their implications for the country. It has been shown that society can recognize and support the scientific research only if a constant flow of information, obtained by means of different tools and methods, is provided. The significance of soil science as a fundamental discipline in the socio-economic development of the country was confirmed by the Government Resolution (2022) on the celebration of the 100-th anniversary of the V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute. The modern noosphere paradigm in soil research poses new challenges to the science, at the forefront of which is V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute.

Impact of hydrotechnical construction on aquatic ecosystems of the Kiliia branch of the Danube Delta

Resumption of shipping in the Bystryi branch in the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta, one of the largest aquatic-wetland areas of Europe and the world, has made it necessary to control the anthropogenic impact on the neighboring water areas of the Danube Biosphere Reserve. The objective of the study was comparing the compositions and structure of phytoplankton, microphytobenthos, macrophytes, benthic invertebrates and ichthyofauna of the mouth area of the Bystryi branch with such communities of the mouths of the branches Vostochnyi, Tsyhanka and Starostambulskyi, which are situated in the protected zone and characterized by limited anthropogenic activity. We also determined the correspondence of the descriptors of biotic groups to the categories of the ecological status according to the Water Framework Directive of the EU. The studies were performed in the autumn and summer periods in 2020–2021. We recorded 367 species of animals and plants, the richest biodiversity was seen for the biota of the Bystryi branch – 250 species, and 180–231 species of hydrobionts were found in the undisturbed mouths. We determined 25.3% of shared species for the water areas, and therefore high values of similarity of the species compositions according to Bray-Curtis (47.5% to 81.5%). We determined no significant differences between the groups of the mouths of the examined branches according to most indicators of taxonomic and ecological structure. As the descriptors of ecological status, we chose assemblage indices of phytoplankton and microphytobenthos, which are based on ratios of biomass of functional groups of algae, and also the Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers, saprobic index of Zelinka & Marvan and Biological Monitoring Working Party Index of Benthic Invertebrates and Representation of Species of Ichthyfauna according to vulnerability to actions of environmental factors. We determined that the range of descriptors of phytoplankton and microphytobenthos corresponded to the “high” ecological status category, such of macrophytes and benthic invertebrates to “good”, and such of ichthyofauna varied “high” to “good”. In general, all the mouth areas were characterized by “good” ecological status. Similarities of the species composition and the structure of biotic communities of the mouths of the studied branches of the delta indicate the absence of negative impact of the deepwater shipping on adjacent ecosystems, which may be related to the peculiarities of reactions of groups in the water areas with natural stress, as well as local impact of the hydrotechnical construction.

Research on the Sustainable Development of the Bistrita Ardeleana River through the Resizing of Weirs

The layout of water resources and the complex and rational use of them have an important role in the socioeconomic activities of an urban settlement. Transversal hydrotechnical constructions such as weirs reduce the longitudinal connectivity of rivers and streams, affecting river biodiversity as well as water quality. This paper presents an alternative method that will help restore connectivity. In order to choose the best solution, topographical measurements were taken with a total topographical station, and a professional drone was used to obtain an updated orthophoto plan. After processing the data obtained in the field, engineering software capable of simulating flow, sediment transport, and water quality in rivers was used. With the help of the software, two hypotheses were realized: hypothesis A, the case with only one weir in place, and hypothesis B, when we have the proposed case with the lowering of the height of the weir’s crest and the construction of three new control weirs downstream of it. In conclusion, the lowering of the current weir’s crest and the construction downstream of it of three new weirs of low height would have a favorable effect from an ecological and a morphological point of view, without very big consequences on the disturbance of the flow from a hydraulic point of view.