International Commission On Large Dams Research Articles

Compliance of Haditha Dam in Iraq to the International Standards for Surveillance and Monitoring

Dams are mega structures that retain huge volumes of water and their safety is important to national security, economy, and public interest. In this study, the types of regular measurements with their recorded value for Haditha Dam were checked for compliance with the standard international surveillance and monitoring procedures such as the procedures of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), the United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)and other to ensure safe dam operation and to avoid the scenario of the Derna Dam break, in Libya that occurred in September 2023. The result shows that the highest recorded settlement was found at station 41 on the left side of the dam body exceeding the design criteria (219 mm) by about 51 %, the frequency of measurement does not comply with the required international standards. There are 7 cells of pore pressure that exceeded the design criteria and the greatest percentage of exceedance was 21.57 % was found at pore pressure number 995. For piezometer reading, the percentage exceedance was 9.1% and it was found on the left side at piezometers number 58-8. The highest percentage of movement 62 % was found at join meter device number D18. The recorded seepage rate through the dam was found within the permitted limits. The visual inspection followed at Haditha Dam was not according to the standard required inspection.

ICOLD 2023, Gothenburg, Sweden: update on Technical Committee B

This briefing note summarises the background and current progress of ICOLD (International Commission on Large Dams) Technical Committee B, which covers seismic aspects of dam design. It summarises the ICOLD Technical Bulletins, which are currently being drafted and the activities of the technical committee during the 2023 ICOLD annual meeting.

ICOLD 2023, Gothenburg, Sweden: update on Technical Committee M

This briefing note summarises the history and current progress of ICOLD (International Commission on Large Dams) Technical Committee M, which covers the operation and maintenance and rehabilitation of dams. It identifies the ICOLD Technical Bulletins completed to date and those which are currently being drafted.

International Commission on Large Dams 2022 Questions: Marseille, France

The paper provides an overview of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) congresses, the typical content of congress proceedings and how this is disseminated. The most recent ICOLD congress was held in Marseille in June 2022. Notes from sessions of all the four questions (themes) of the 2022 ICOLD congress are provided, either providing an overview of the presentations and discussions, or providing details of a particular presentation. Themes include concrete dams, incidents and accidents, surveillance and monitoring and climate change.

Applicability of the risk ranking methodology designed for water reservoirs to tailings storage facilities

The risks associated with operating water reservoirs and tailings storage facilities (TSFs) are different because of their different purposes, methods of construction and operation, and characteristics of the materials impounded and their flow behaviour. Regardless of the differences, these two types of structures are often put in the same category when it comes to risk assessment and the application of relevant methodologies, which may result in unrealistic outcomes. In this paper we investigate whether it is possible to apply the risk ranking methodology designed for water reservoirs to TDFs and overview the key differences between these two types of structures. We also provide a comparative analysis of the results obtained by conducting a risk assessment of the operation of a TSF, applying the method recommended by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), and analyse the results using the failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) technique. It is concluded that a more realistic evaluation of risk levels can be obtained by adopting a systematic approach to risk assessment in accordance with the traditional risk definition on which the FMEA technique is based.

Effect of FTC on the interface between soil materials and asphalt concrete using a direct shear test

The process of freezing and thawing has a great effect on different aspects of materials in cold regions. Due to the complex behavior of materials under the impact of freezing and thawing, several studies conducted on the individual behavior of soil materials or asphalt concrete on this condition. In the present study, the impact of freezing and thawing on the strength characteristics and interaction ratio of soil materials from classes GC (clayey gravel) and GP (poorly graded gravel) at the interface between asphalt and soil materials was assessed. The particle size distribution of the aggregate used in this study was within the grading range recommended by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) and Fuller's ideal grading curve used in the construction of Mijran Dam, Mazandaran Province, Iran. First, granular materials and asphalt concrete were subjected to weight loss test and durability study, respectively, according to AASHTO-T103 and Iranian Standard 12728. Then, utilizing a large-scale direct shear machine, the contact surface element (interface between granular materials and asphalt concrete) was evaluated under dry and saturated conditions as well as under various freeze-thaw cycling (FTC). The results demonstrate that an increase in the number of FTC let to a decrease in the maximum shear stress under dry and saturated circumstances for both clayey gravels and poorly graded gravels materials at interference with asphalt concrete. In GC materials at the contact surface with asphalt concrete, the interaction ratio reduces by 0.22 % under dry conditions and by 0.54–1.2 % under saturated conditions, relative to its value in the tenth cycle, as the number of FTC increases. In GP materials at the interface with asphalt concrete, as the number of FTC increases, the interaction ratio drops between 9.2 % and 33.61 % in dry conditions and by 20.62 % in saturated situations compared to the value that occurred in 10 cycles.

GeoDAR: georeferenced global dams and reservoirs dataset for bridging attributes and geolocations

Abstract. Dams and reservoirs are among the most widespread human-made infrastructures on Earth. Despite their societal and environmental significance, spatial inventories of dams and reservoirs, even for the large ones, are insufficient. A dilemma of the existing georeferenced dam datasets is the polarized focus on either dam quantity and spatial coverage (e.g., GlObal geOreferenced Database of Dams, GOODD) or detailed attributes for a limited dam quantity or region (e.g., GRanD (Global Reservoir and Dam database) and national inventories). One of the most comprehensive datasets, the World Register of Dams (WRD), maintained by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), documents nearly 60 000 dams with an extensive suite of attributes. Unfortunately, the WRD records provide no geographic coordinates, limiting the benefits of their attributes for spatially explicit applications. To bridge the gap between attribute accessibility and spatial explicitness, we introduce the Georeferenced global Dams And Reservoirs (GeoDAR) dataset, created by utilizing the Google Maps geocoding application programming interface (API) and multi-source inventories. We release GeoDAR in two successive versions (v1.0 and v1.1) at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6163413 (Wang et al., 2022). GeoDAR v1.0 holds 22 560 dam points georeferenced from the WRD, whereas v1.1 consists of (a) 24 783 dam points after a harmonization between GeoDAR v1.0 and GRanD v1.3 and (b) 21 515 reservoir polygons retrieved from high-resolution water masks based on a one-to-one relationship between dams and reservoirs. Due to geocoding challenges, GeoDAR spatially resolved ∼ 40 % of the records in the WRD, which, however, comprise over 90 % of the total reservoir area, catchment area, and reservoir storage capacity. GeoDAR does not release the proprietary WRD attributes, but upon individual user requests we may provide assistance in associating GeoDAR spatial features with the WRD attribute information that users have acquired from ICOLD. Despite this limit, GeoDAR, with a dam quantity triple that of GRanD, significantly enhances the spatial details of smaller but more widespread dams and reservoirs and complements other existing global dam inventories. Along with its extended attribute accessibility, GeoDAR is expected to benefit a broad range of applications in hydrologic modeling, water resource management, ecosystem health, and energy planning.

Low-cement concrete dams: construction, structures and innovations

Introduction. Low-cement concrete dams are water-retaining structures frequently used in modern hydraulic engineering. The number of facilities of this type goes up every year due to their simple design, speedy construction and high economic efficiency. However, a number of problems may arise in the construction and operation of such facilities. In particular, reduced strength and water permeability of interlayer joints may constitute a problem. Temperature effects arising in the course of construction and operation may cause additional deformation of their structure, changes in their stress-strain state, opening of existing cracks and further cracking. The study of the design experience, building and operation of dams made of low-cement concrete will lay the groundwork for the development of similar structures and defect elimination methods. It will also provide an opportunity to learn more about thebehaviour of structures exposed to various conditions, including climatic ones.
 Materials and methods. Data on existing dams made of low-cement concrete, research articles, technical reports and conference proceedings, including those issued by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), have been collected and analyzed.
 Results. The comparative analysis of designs of dams in operation and future-oriented solutions is performed. The co-authors have demonstrated the need for an integrated approach to solving temperature cracking problems by using filtration through the dam body.
 Conclusions. The results can be used as the basis for further detailed studies. The comparative analysis of traditional and innovative waterproofing liners will help to effectively choose the protection solution for an upstream face of a facility. New forecasting methods and recommendations aimed at the reduction of negative temperature effects on the operation of facilities can solve the temperature cracking problem.

Using GRanD Database and Surface Water Data to Constrain Area–Storage Curve of Reservoirs

Basic information on global reservoirs is well documented in databases such as GRanD (Global Reservoir and Dam) and ICOLD (International Commission on Large Dams). However, though playing a critical role in estimating reservoir storage variations from remote sensing or hydrological models, area–storage curves of reservoirs are not conveniently obtained nor publicly shared. In this paper, we combine the GRanD database and Landsat-based global surface water extent (GSW) data to derive area–storage curves of reservoirs. The reported storage capacity in the GRanD database and water surface area from GSW data were used to constrain the area–storage curve. The proposed method has the potential to derive area–storage curves of reservoirs larger than 1 km2 archived in the GRanD database. The derived curves are validated with in situ reservoir data collected in US and China, and the results show that in situ records are well captured by the derived curves both in large and small reservoirs with various shapes. The derived area–storage curves could be employed to advance global monitoring or modeling of reservoir storage dynamics.

Lessons Learned Regarding Cracking of a Concrete Arch Dam Due to Seasonal Temperature Variations

Dams located in cold areas are subjected to large seasonal temperature variations and many concrete dams have cracked as a result. In the 14th International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) Benchmark Workshop, a case study was presented where contributors should predict the cracking and displacements due to seasonal variations. In this paper, the conclusions from this case study are presented. Overall, the results from the contributors are well in line with the observations that can be made on the dam and the measurements performed. This shows that using non-linear numerical models is a suitable tool to accurately predict cracking and estimate the displacements of cracked dams. This case study also highlighted important aspects that need special consideration in order to obtain realistic results that can be used to predict the crack pattern, these being: (1) the importance of performing transient thermal analyses based on robin boundary conditions; (2) the influence of contact formulation between the concrete dam and the foundation; and (3) the use of realistic non-linear material properties. The results and conclusions presented in this paper constitute one important step in achieving best practices to estimate dam safety and better understand the potential failure modes and ageing of concrete dams.

UK participation at ICOLD 2018, Vienna, Austria

The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) held its 26th (triennial) congress and 86th annual meeting in Vienna, Austria on 1–7 July 2018. Details of the conference programme and papers are available online. The UK was well represented with around 30 attendees. The entire day of 1 July was devoted to ICOLD technical committee meetings. This paper provides a collated and edited update from the UK representative to each committee on the workings on each technical committee. Matters discussed at the ICOLD general assembly are also reported on.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of a gold mine tailing through the multi-criteria decision making tool

Gold mine tailings dams are a high risk part of mining as they contain hazardous materials such as cyanide, mercury and arsenic from processing operations which present a risk to the public and to the environment. When tailing dams fail, the impact is disastrous for humans and the natural environment. The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) collected 221 case records of tailing facility failure incidents worldwide to determine the causes of these incidents. The main causes of these incidents and reported cases of failure were found to be lack of control during the construction, lack of control of the water balance and a general lack of understanding of the features that control safe operations. The important elements to improve the safety and stability of tailings disposal facilities are geotechnical investigation, engineered design, construction, operation and monitoring of the tailings storage facility.

Meeting Report: ICOLD 2017 annual meeting in the Czech Republic

The paper summarises the 85th annual meeting of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) in Prague in the Czech Republic in July 2017 and directs the readership to an on-line paper which covers the event in detail.

A closure of the first phase of the flotation tailings storage facility 'Pekina glavica'

First phase closure of the flotation tailings storage facility 'Pekina Glavica' at the mine 'Suplja stijena', Sula - Montenegro has been shown in this paper. The mine has opted for the multiphase development of the flotation tailings storage facility, so by activating the third phase, the conditions for first phase tailings storage facility closure has been met. Dry closure method has been selected by applying multilayers of materials with different characteristics, which is in accordance with the recommendations of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). Earth materials extracted from the floor of the third tailings storage facility, overburden from the open pit mine and coarse tailings from the preconcentration process were mainly used. Five layers of a total thickness of 1,6 m were planned, but total thickness exceeded 4 m, because of the excess soil material from the floor. This closure method met the requirements of urban planners and environmentalists, and local residents were satisfied with closure and biotechnical rehabilitation. The closure has become financially sustainable for the company because of the rational use of available resources.

ICOLD Embankment Dams Committee Activities, ICOLD Johannesburg, May 2016

This is a report on the activities of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) Technical Committee on Embankment Dams during the ICOLD Annual Meeting held in Johannesburg from 16 to 20 May 2016. It includes notes on the committee's meeting, particularly reports on the preparation of bulletins (the ICOLD term for guidance documents), reports and comments on selected papers and presentations at the symposium, and a report on the Workshop on Geotextiles and Filters.

Geomembrane sealing systems for dams: ICOLD Bulletin 135

The paper presents the contents of the latest bulletin published by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) on the subject of geomembranes as sealing systems for dams. Bulletin 135, published in 2010, is an updating and expansion of ICOLD Bulletins 38, published in 1981, and 78, published in 1991. Bulletin 135 has been prepared, under the aegis of the ICOLD Committee on Materials for Fill Dams, by the ad-hoc European Working Group for geomembranes and geosynthetics as facing materials, composed by experts from nine European countries, with external contribution from USA. Different competences were covered by the group, which included geomembrane scientists, dam designers, geomembrane systems designers, dam owners, and geomembrane specialist contractors. The bulletin is composed of 9 chapters, in total 464 pages for the English and the French versions. The paper outlines the history of the constitution of the working group, the preparation of the database on geomembrane systems in dams all over the world, discusses the topics covered by each chapter, and gives some statistics based on the database. Some case histories mentioned in the Bulletin, and recent developments, are also presented.

Young engineers' events

There were two events for young engineers at the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) Annual Meeting in 2016: Young Engineers' Forum annual meeting and the Young Engineers' Forum social event. ICOLD's Young Engineers' Forum events are open to engineers under the age of 40 years and there is often a good turnout with generally growing numbers each year since its inception in 2008.

The General Assembly

The management of International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) is conducted during the General Assembly (GA). The GA was held on Friday 20 May 2016 and was attended by the chairman and vice-chairman of each of the member countries. Other ICOLD delegates had the option to attend workshops on this day.

Meeting report: ICSE 2014, Scarborough, Western Australia

This paper presents an outline of ICSE 2014, the Seventh International Conference on Scour and Erosion. The event was organised jointly by the The International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD) European Working Group on Internal Erosion (EWGIE) and the Scour and Erosion Group (Technical Committee 213) of the International Society on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and was held in Scarborough near Perth, Western Australia, 2–4 December 2014.

Meeting report: ICOLD annual meeting, Bali, Indonesia, 1–7 June 2014

This is a report on the activities of the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD) Technical Committee on Embankment Dams at the ICOLD annual meeting in Bali. It includes a contribution to the workshop on the new ICOLD bulletin on small dams.