Internal characterization of embankment dams using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and thermographic analysis: A case study of the Medau Zirimilis Dam (Sardinia, Italy)
Resumen: The stability of embankment dams without an impermeable core depends on the characteristics of the face slab that prevents internal erosion, piping and eventual collapse of the structure. Under a Mediterranean climate, the impermeable asphaltic face slab is subjected to high solar radiation and consequent temperature changes, which can generate the creation of cracks and joints. The Medau Zirimilis Dam, located in the Casteddu River (Sardinia), is an embankment dam that has undergone seepage and continuous repairs in its asphalt face slab. These reparations have been conducted because of the occurrence of cracks and relative movement of different segments of the slab. To evaluate if seepage endangers the integrity of the dam, GPR was used, with different antennas (100, 250 and 500 MHz), along its crest and upstream and downstream faces, and the data were integrated with infrared thermographic images. Although geophysical data do not show structural changes affecting the main dam structure, deformation structures at shallow levels and in particular in the upstream face and along the crest of the dam have been identified. Such deformation affects the road atop the crest, the face slab and underlying levels, resulting in landslides that include material from several meters below the surface. The analysis permitted the identification of the origin of surficial cracks and their effects on the face slab. These sectors, independent of current movement, define the most unstable areas against water level changes that can affect the dam integrity. GPR analysis at the embankments usually has the handicap of high clay content that precludes electromagnetic wave penetration; however, in this case, the obtained resolution and extent of penetration using the different antennas was sufficient, due to the absence of an inner waterproof unit, and permitted the evaluation of the inner structure of the dam and the application of GPR for construction quality surveillance, internal structural characterization and dam monitoring.
Idioma: Inglés
DOI: 10.1016/j.enggeo.2018.02.015
Año: 2018
Publicado en: Engineering Geology 237 (2018), 129-139
ISSN: 0013-7952

Factor impacto JCR: 3.909 (2018)
Categ. JCR: GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY rank: 30 / 195 = 0.154 (2018) - Q1 - T1
Categ. JCR: ENGINEERING, GEOLOGICAL rank: 4 / 38 = 0.105 (2018) - Q1 - T1

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 2.209 - Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology (Q1) - Geology (Q1)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E32-17R
Tipo y forma: Article (PostPrint)
Área (Departamento): Área Paleontología (Dpto. Ciencias de la Tierra)
Área (Departamento): Área Geodinámica Interna (Dpto. Ciencias de la Tierra)


Creative Commons You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. You may not use the material for commercial purposes. If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you may not distribute the modified material.


Exportado de SIDERAL (2022-08-31-09:48:20)


Visitas y descargas

Este artículo se encuentra en las siguientes colecciones:
Articles



 Record created 2019-03-19, last modified 2022-08-31


Postprint:
 PDF
Rate this document:

Rate this document:
1
2
3
 
(Not yet reviewed)