Thesis (Ph. D.)--Division of Geography, School of Geosciences, Faculty of Science, University of Sydney, 2006. / Title from title screen (viewed 15 January 2009). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Geosciences, Faculty of Science. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.

abstract: Fluctuating flow releases on regulated rivers destabilize downstream riverbanks, causing unintended, unnatural, and uncontrolled geomorphologic changes. These flow releases, usually a result of upstream hydroelectric dam operations, create manmade tidal effects that cause significant environmental damage; harm fish, vegetation, mammal, and avian habitats; and destroy riverbank camping and boating areas. This work focuses on rivers regulated by hydroelectric dams and have banks formed by sediment processes. For these systems, bank failures can be reduced, but not eliminated, by modifying flow release schedules. Unfortunately, comprehensive mitigation can only be accomplished with expensive rebuilding floods which release trapped sediment back into the river. The contribution of this research is to optimize weekly hydroelectric dam releases to minimize the cost of annually mitigating downstream bank failures. Physical process modeling of dynamic seepage effects is achieved through a new analytical unsaturated porewater response model that allows arbitrary periodic stage loading by Fourier series. This model is incorporated into a derived bank failure risk model that utilizes stochastic parameters identified through a meta-analysis of more than 150 documented slope failures. The risk model is then expanded to the river reach level by a Monte Carlos simulation and nonlinear regression of measured attenuation effects. Finally, the comprehensive risk model is subjected to a simulated annealing (SA) optimization scheme that accounts for physical, environmental, mechanical, operations, and flow constraints. The complete risk model is used to optimize the weekly flow release schedule of the Glen Canyon Dam, which regulates flow in the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon. A solution was obtained that reduces downstream failure risk, allows annual rebuilding floods, and predicts a hydroelectric revenue increase of more than 2%. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering 2010

Barragens são utilizadas há séculos para diversas finalidades. Em diversas barragens os vertedouros são constituídos de degraus com o objetivo de aumentar a dissipação de energia. A presente pesquisa objetiva a caracterização dos esforços atuantes em vertedouros em degraus, através da análise da variação das pressões atuantes ao longo da calha e suas distribuições na faces do degraus. Com esse objetivo, são realizadas análises sobre modelos de vertedouros com declividade de 1V:0,75H e degraus de 3, 6 e 9 centímetros. São analisados os campos de pressões nos degraus e comparados com os resultados disponíveis na bibliografia. Também são propostos modelos para previsão de pressões nos patamares e espelhos dos degraus bem como dos esforços resultantes. Além disso, são realizadas transposições dos resultados para a escala de protótipo, inclusive com a análise da possibilidade de cavitação na estrutura. Como constatação geral sobre as pressões nos espelhos verifica-se que os esforços de tração e compressão têm magnitudes relativamente semelhantes, sendo mais intensas as pressões negativas. Sobre as pressões máximas nos patamares, destaca-se que os valores máximos de compressão ocorreram no final da calha, percebendo-se que as menores vazões geraram maiores valores de coeficientes de pressões. As variações da compressão nas faces dos patamares apresentam crescimento, no sentido da extremidade com o espelho acima deste para o vértice com o espelho abaixo do mesmo patamar. Nas faces dos espelhos, percebe-se que os mais extremos de tração são observados na parte superior, próximo à quina com os patamares. / Dams have been used throughout the centuries for a plethora of purposes. Several designs employ steps on the spillways in order to increase the power dissipation. The present research aims to characterize the forces acting on stepped spillways by analyzing both the variation of pressures acting along the pipeline and their distributions on the faces of the steps. In order to achieve this purpose, observations and discussions regarding spillways models with slope characterized as 1V: 0.75H and steps ranging from 3 to 9 centimeters are conducted. The pressure fields measured in the steps were analyzed and compared with results available in the literature. Sub sequentially, models to predict pressures on the faces of the steps and the resulting efforts were proposed. Finally, transpositions were performed on a prototype scale. Generally, it was found that the magnitude of tensile and compressive forces on the vertical faces are relatively similar, being the negative pressure slightly higher on all cases. During the experiments, it was observed that compression forces increased thought the length of the step’s horizontal face, peaking at the edge. It was also noticed that lower flows generated higher pressure coefficients. The measured compression on the horizontal faces of the step and its variation increase towards the edge of the step. It is perceived that the maximum tensile is observed on the top of the step’s vertical faces, near the corner with the horizontal faces.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-11-06T20:01:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JOSÉ LAMARK PEREIRA HENRIQUES - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGECA 1993..pdf: 33749440 bytes, checksum: e11f849d78d25d2e4af28abaa5c1be6d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-06T20:01:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JOSÉ LAMARK PEREIRA HENRIQUES - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGECA 1993..pdf: 33749440 bytes, checksum: e11f849d78d25d2e4af28abaa5c1be6d (MD5) Previous issue date: 1993-02-05 / Este trabalho apresenta um estudo do comportamento do sistema de barragens de terra Gramame / Mamuaba, construído no município de Alhandra, PB, situado a 20 Km ao sul da capital do Estado da Paraíba, João Pessoa. Ênfase foi dada às pressões da água intersticial na fundação do maciço e as paredes diafragmas inseridas no sistema. 0 estudo teve como objetivo analisar os dados fornecidos pelos instrumentos instalados na obra, limitados pelo período final de construção, primeiro enchimento do reservatório e dois anos iniciais de operação. No capítulo de análise das pressões intersticiais procurou-se mostrar a evolução das mesmas através de seções transversais das barragens. O comportamento do contato núcleo-fundação durante a evolução do enchimento do reservatório foi mostrado através da piezometria traçada em algumas das barragens. Uma abordagem sobre a construção da parede diafragma, instrumentação utilizada na Engenharia Geotécnica e arranjo geral da obra é apresentada, com a finalidade de fornecer uma visão global do estudo efetuado. / This work presents a study on the behaviour of dams constructed in the municipal district of Alhandra, PB, situated twenty kilometers to the south of the capital of Paraiba State, Joao Pessoa. Emphasis was given to the porous water pressures in the foundation of the compact and of the diaphragm walls inserted in the system. The objectiva of the sudy was to anlyse the data provided by the instruments inserted in the construction, 1 imitated by the last phases of the construction, first filling up of the resevoir and two inicial years of operat ion. In the chapter of the analysis of the pressures water filtration it was shown the evolution of it by means of the transverse sections to the dam. The behavior of the nucleus foundation contact during the period of the filling of the resevoir was shown by means of drawning in some sections of the dam. A study of the construction of the diaphragm walls, instruments utilized in the geotecnnical engineering and general arrangement of the work is presented, with the view to providing a global view of tie study.

Barragens são utilizadas há séculos para diversas finalidades. Em diversas barragens os vertedouros são constituídos de degraus com o objetivo de aumentar a dissipação de energia. A presente pesquisa objetiva a caracterização dos esforços atuantes em vertedouros em degraus, através da análise da variação das pressões atuantes ao longo da calha e suas distribuições na faces do degraus. Com esse objetivo, são realizadas análises sobre modelos de vertedouros com declividade de 1V:0,75H e degraus de 3, 6 e 9 centímetros. São analisados os campos de pressões nos degraus e comparados com os resultados disponíveis na bibliografia. Também são propostos modelos para previsão de pressões nos patamares e espelhos dos degraus bem como dos esforços resultantes. Além disso, são realizadas transposições dos resultados para a escala de protótipo, inclusive com a análise da possibilidade de cavitação na estrutura. Como constatação geral sobre as pressões nos espelhos verifica-se que os esforços de tração e compressão têm magnitudes relativamente semelhantes, sendo mais intensas as pressões negativas. Sobre as pressões máximas nos patamares, destaca-se que os valores máximos de compressão ocorreram no final da calha, percebendo-se que as menores vazões geraram maiores valores de coeficientes de pressões. As variações da compressão nas faces dos patamares apresentam crescimento, no sentido da extremidade com o espelho acima deste para o vértice com o espelho abaixo do mesmo patamar. Nas faces dos espelhos, percebe-se que os mais extremos de tração são observados na parte superior, próximo à quina com os patamares. / Dams have been used throughout the centuries for a plethora of purposes. Several designs employ steps on the spillways in order to increase the power dissipation. The present research aims to characterize the forces acting on stepped spillways by analyzing both the variation of pressures acting along the pipeline and their distributions on the faces of the steps. In order to achieve this purpose, observations and discussions regarding spillways models with slope characterized as 1V: 0.75H and steps ranging from 3 to 9 centimeters are conducted. The pressure fields measured in the steps were analyzed and compared with results available in the literature. Sub sequentially, models to predict pressures on the faces of the steps and the resulting efforts were proposed. Finally, transpositions were performed on a prototype scale. Generally, it was found that the magnitude of tensile and compressive forces on the vertical faces are relatively similar, being the negative pressure slightly higher on all cases. During the experiments, it was observed that compression forces increased thought the length of the step’s horizontal face, peaking at the edge. It was also noticed that lower flows generated higher pressure coefficients. The measured compression on the horizontal faces of the step and its variation increase towards the edge of the step. It is perceived that the maximum tensile is observed on the top of the step’s vertical faces, near the corner with the horizontal faces.

No description available.

Master of Science / Department of Biology / Keith B. Gido / Fishways are a common tool for mitigating the effects of habitat fragmentation on fish communities, but their utility in low-gradient, sand-bed rivers of the Great Plains is not well studied. The Lincoln Street Fishway on the Arkansas River became operational in 2015 and was built specifically to pass small-bodied threatened fishes. We used a combination of surveys up-and downstream of the barrier and tagging experiments to test the ability of fishes to move into and through the fishway. Differences in fish community structure up- and downstream of the dam were more pronounced prior to the construction and operation of the fishway. In particular, Emerald Shiner Notropis atherinoides was absent from collections upstream of the dam before fishway construction, but commonly collected upstream in 2015 and 2016 surveys. Surveys within the fishway structure revealed 29 species, or 74% of the total species captured during our study were using the fishway. To further quantify fishway passage, we used a VIE experiment to assess if fish marked downstream of the fishway moved into or upstream of the fishway. Although we did not recapture marked fish upstream of the fishway, some marked individuals moved into the fishway. Finally, we conducted a PIT tag experiment to evaluate short distance movements within the fishway for three species of small-bodied minnow and were able to document upstream movement across a gradient of flows through the fishway. Results from our study illustrate the potential for fishways to mitigate the effects of habitat fragmentation on small-bodied fishes in sand-bed rivers.

L’application des approches probabilistes pour tenir compte des incertitudes dans le domaine des barrages est un sujet en développement. Cependant, la plupart des études ont été réalisées sur l’évaluation de la sécurité des barrages pendant leur service. Ce travail de thèse vise à appliquer ce type d’approches et à faire une contribution à l’analyse de risque des barrages en béton compacté au rouleau (BCR) d`es sa construction, à l’aide d’une simulation numérique. Les travaux présentés dans ce manuscrit proposent l’application d’une méthodologie qui vise à quantifier la vulnérabilité vis-à-vis de l’apparition de la fissuration pendant la construction du barrage, ce qui peut affecter `a long-terme la perméabilité et par conséquent, compromettre son comportement structurel. Pour ce faire, l’accent est mis sur les incertitudes liées à quelques caractéristiques des matériaux (e.g., résistance, rapport eau-ciment, entre autres) et aux conditions environnementales pendant la phase de construction. Un modèle thermo-chemo-mécanique est utilisé pour décrire le comportement du BCR. En ce qui concerne le modèle probabiliste, deux aspects sont étudiés: i) comment les incertitudes liées aux variables d’entrée sont propagées dans le modèle, et ii) quelle est l’influence de leur dispersion par rapport à la dispersion totale de la sortie. Ce dernier est évalué par l’intermédiaire d’une analyse de sensibilité globale effectuée avec la méthode RBD-FAST. En outre, la variabilité spatiale des paramètres d’entrée est aussi prise en compte à travers des champs aléatoires bidimensionnels. Par ailleurs, un couplage entre des méthodes de fiabilité et la méthode d’éléments finis est effectué de façon à évaluer le potentiel de fissuration dans chaque couche de BCR lors de sa construction en utilisant un concept de densité de fissuration. Comme résultat important issu de ce travail de recherche, des courbes de probabilité pour la densité de fissuration sont obtenues au niveau de chaque couche en fonction de leur âge et des conditions aux limites, ce qui est considérée comme étant une contribution originale de cette thèse.La méthodologie proposée peut être utilisé pour aider à comprendre comment les incertitudes vont affecter le comportement du barrage pendant sa construction et servir d’appui dans le futur pour améliorer et soutenir la phase de conception du projet de barrage. / The use of fully probabilistic approaches to account for uncertainties within dam engineering is a recently emerging field on which studies have been mostly done concerning the safety evaluation of dams under service. This thesis arises within this framework as a contribution on moving the process of risk analysis of dams beyond empirical knowledge, applying probabilistic tools on the numerical modelling of a roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam during its construction phase.The work developed here aims to propose a methodology so as to account for risks related to cracking during construction which may compromise the dam’s functional and structural behaviour.In order to do so, emphasis is given to uncertainties related to the material itself (i.e.strength, water-to-cement ratio, among others) as well as to ambient conditions during the construction phase of RCC dams. A thermo-chemo-mechanical model is used to describe theRCC behaviour. Concerning the probabilistic model, two aspects are studied : how the uncertainties related to the input variables are propagated through the model, and what is the influence of their dispersion on the dispersion of the output, assessed by performing a global sensitivity analysis by means of the RBD-FAST method. Also, spatial variability of some input parameters is accounted for through bi-dimensional random fields. Furthermore, a coupling between reliability methods and finite element methods is performed in order to evaluate the cracking potential of each casted RCC layer during construction by means of a cracking density concept. As an important outcome of this applied research,probability curves for cracking density within each casted layer as functions of both age and boundary conditions are predicted, which is believed to be an original contribution of this thesis. The proposed methodology may therefore be seen as a contribution to help engineers understand how uncertainties will affect the dam behaviour during construction and rely on it inthe future to improve and support the design phase of the dam project.

Barragens de rejeitos são estruturas que têm a finalidade de reter os resíduos sólidos e água dos processos de beneficiamento de minério. Seu planejamento inicia com a procura do local para implantação, etapa na qual se deve vincular todo tipo de variáveis que direta ou indiretamente influenciam a obra: características geológicas, hidrológicas, topográficas, geotécnicas, ambientais, sociais, avaliação de riscos, entre outras. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a utilização do método de analise hierárquica como apoio na tomada de decisões para seleção de locais para barragens de rejeitos. A revisão bibliográfica de fatores que influem nesta etapa de decisão resultou em indicadores claros de avaliação, que foram orientadores para a coleta de dados no estudo de caso. O estudo de caso consistiu na avaliação de três locais para a localização da nova barragem de rejeitos de beneficiamento de cobre a ser construída pela MINER S.A. no município de Carmen de Atrato, na Colômbia. Para a seleção do local entre três alternativas, foram considerados dois aspectos: custo inicial total e impacto ambiental. Na aplicação do método de análise hierárquica, o objetivo principal da hierarquia proposta foi o menor impacto ambiental, considerando-se as três causas consideradas mais importantes: implantação da barragem, ruptura da barragem e transporte de rejeitos da usina ao local de disposição. Foram analisados os impactos potenciais na água, solo, fauna, flora e ocupação humana. Os custos foram tratados separadamente. No final foi realizada uma análise conjunta dos custos iniciais totais e dos resultados do método de análise hierárquica, para servir como apoio ao tomador de decisão. Foi também realizada uma análise de sensibilidade, que mostra a influência significativa de um dos critérios nos pesos finais dos locais avaliados. / Tailings dams are structures designed to retain solid wastes and water generated in the processing of metal ore. The overall planning of these dams starts with site selection, step in which all directly or indirectly influential variables should be considered: geological, hydrological, topographic, geotechnical, environmental and social characteristics, risk evaluation etc. This work presents a study of the utilization of the hierarchy analysis process (AHP) as a tool for decision-making in the selection of sites for tailings dams. The bibliographic review of relevant factors resulted in the proposal of a list of indicators, which was very useful as an orientation for data collection in the study case, and is considered as an important contribution from this research. The study case consisted in the location of the new copper tailings dam of MINER Inc. in Carmen de Atrato, Colombia. Initially, a geochemical software was applied to the region to discard unsuitable areas. For the selection of a site among three resulting alternatives, two aspects were taken into account: total initial cost and environmental impact. In the application of AHP, the main objective of the proposed hierarchy was the lowest environmental impact. Three possible causes were considered as the most important concerning environmental impact: dam and reservoir occupancy, dam collapse and transportation of wastes from the plant to the disposal site. Potential impacts on water, soil, fauna, flora and human occupation were analyzed. Costs were treated separately. Finally, a joint analysis of total initial costs and results from the AHP application was carried out in order to convey a support for the decision maker. A sensilibtily analysis was also performed to show the influence of one of the subcriteria on the final alternatives weights.

Esta dissertação é uma contribuição, através de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, sobre o tema instrumentação e monitoramento em empreendimentos de barragens de rejeitos da mineração. Nesta pesquisa apresentam-se os objetivos básicos da instrumentação de barragens e suas características técnicas, metodologia construtiva das barragens de rejeitos e seu monitoramento através de auscultação da instrumentação. Como limitação do trabalho, devido à variedade de instrumentos que podem ser instalados em uma barragem, buscou-se pesquisar os instrumentos de medição de deslocamentos e controle de fluxo percolante, sendo os mais utilizados em barragens de terra e rejeitos. Justifica-se este tema motivado pelos últimos acidentes ocorridos em barragens de contenção de rejeitos, enfatizando a importância e a necessidade permanente da melhoria das condições de segurança e monitoramento das barragens brasileiras. Estes acidentes causam danos à população do entorno da barragem, econômicos ao empreendedor e ambientais. Como resultado obtido nesta pesquisa pode-se concluir que propiciou conhecimento atualizado ao meio técnico nacional de barragens. / This dissertation is a contribution, through a bibliographical research, on the subject of instrumentation and monitoring in enterprises of tailings dams. This research presents the basic objectives of the instrumentation of dams, their technical characteristics, the construction methodology of tailings dams and their monitoring through auscultation of the instrumentation. Due to the variety of instruments that can be installed in a dam, this work was limited to the analysis of two segments, instruments of measurement displacements and those for controlling percolation flow, which are the most commonly used in earth and tailings dams. This study is justified due to recent accidents occurring in tailings dams, which stress the importance and the permanent necessity of the improvement in security and monitoring conditions of Brazilian dams. These accidents cause social, economic and environmental damages to the enterprise. As a result of this research it can be concluded that it contributed with up-to-date knowledge to the national technical dam sector.