Leakage below dam sites in limestone terrains by enhanced karstification: a modeling approach

Unnaturally high hydraulic gradients below dam sites enhance dissolutional widening of fractures in limestone. A model is presented which suggests that under unfavorable conditions, leakage rates could become unbearably high during the lifetime of the dam. At the beginning when water is impounded, leakage rates are low and increase slowly. A positive feedback loop, however, causes a sudden dramatic increase of leakage within a few years. Deep grouting becomes necessary to prevent such failures. Inefficiencies in grouting may leave some open fractures in the grouting curtain. These fractures widen faster than pathways below the grouting curtain, and reduce the effect of the grouted region located below. Therefore, open fractures act in a similar way as reduction of the grouting depth.     

Seepage problems in the right abutment of the Shahid Abbaspour dam, southern Iran

In this study, seepage phenomena through the right abutment of Shahid Abbaspour dam are investigated. The Shahid Abbaspour dam is a 200 m high arch dam, which regulates the waters of the Karun River, serves power generation, and flood control and irrigation needs. The dam site lies in the Zagros Mountains of southern Iran. This region presents continuous series of mainly of karstic limestone, marl, shale and gypsum ranging in age from Jurassic to Pliocene. The region has subsequently been folded and faulted. Seepage from the Shahid Abbaspour reservoir occurs mainly through the karstic limestone.The basic foundation treatment of the dam consisted of consolidation grouting, a high-pressure grout curtain and a drainage curtain. Moreover, a 144 m high and 30 m wide concrete cutoff wall was built to prevent reservoir seepage through a clay-filled fracture zone in the right abutment. The grout curtain penetrates the “Principal Vuggy Zone” only beneath the central portion of the dam and below the cutoff wall. In the right abutment fan curtains were constructed to reduce drainage flows, but the seepage problem could not be solved. In order to determine the seepage direction and karstification pattern, hydrogeological studies have been carried out. Additional investigation boreholes have been drilled to monitor fluctuations in groundwater level. Besides these, water chemistry, dye tracer, pinhole and XRF tests have been carried out. As a result of these studies, seepage paths have been identified in the karstic limestone in the right abutment of the dam.     

Dynamics Of Karstification: A Model Applied To Hydraulic Structures In Karst Terranes

To model the development of karst channels from primary fissures in limestone, a computer simulation of solutional widening of a fracture by calcite agressive water is proposed. The parameters defining the problem are the initial width a₀ of the fracture, its length l, and the hydraulic gradient i driving water through it. The dissolution rates limestone determine how fast enlargement of the fractures proceeds. At a calcite concentration, c, far from equilibrium, the dissolution follows a first-order rate law, F⁽¹⁾=α₀(c_eq-c); close to the equilibrium concentration, c_eq, a slow fourth-order rate law F⁽⁴⁾=β₀(c_eq-c)⁴ is valid. The results show that, at the time of initiation, the water flow through the karst channels increases slowly in time until an abrupt increase occurs. After this moment of breakthrough, the channel enlarges rapidly and evenly over its entire length by first-order kinetics. Breakthrough times have been calculated for karstification under natural conditions for low hydraulic gradients as functions of a₀, l, and i. Special attention is given to karstification in the vicinity of hydraulic structures where hydraulic gradients are high (>0.5) and channel lengths are below 200 m. We find that the breakthrough event will occur in less than 100 years, if: (i/l) > (5.3·10^?8a₀ ^?2.63P_CO2 ^?0.77) where l is in m and a₀ is in cm, (i/l) is given in m^-1, and P_CO2[atm] is the CO₂ pressure of the water entering the fracture. After this event, the channels will widen to a width of about 1 cm within only 10 years, which can cause considerable leakage near or through hydraulic structures. Finally, critical values of the parameters i, l, a₀, which give the conditions of failure in various types of hydraulic structures are discussed.     

Treatment of the seepage problems at the Kalecik Dam (Turkey)

This paper describes the seepage prevention measures at Kalecik Dam. Water leaked from the foundation of the dam after the impoundment. The dam, 77 m in height, was constructed for irrigation purposes.

The foundation consists of Mesozoic ophiolite, Paleocene allochthonous units composed of different lithologies and Miocene conglomerate. Karstified and fractured Paleocene limestone outcrops on the right bank of the dam foundation. This unit extends into, and its thickness increases within, the right abutment. The leakage occurs towards the downstream springs through the right bank limestone.

The main grout curtain is 200 m long and 60 m deep and was constructed on the right bank. After reservoir impounding, new springs were observed in the downstream area. Therefore, after the construction of the dam, remedial curtain grouting was required and carried out in three stages. Firstly, the main grout curtain was supplemented by additional grouting to seal the fractures and infill karstic cavities. The diversion tunnel was also repaired. The curtain depth was the same as the depth of the previous curtain. The second stage of additional treatment consisted of new deep grouting. Some investigation holes were also drilled along the same alignment as the main curtain to locate the seepage in the region. These holes were extended to an elevation of 442 m. The final stage of grouting measures was between the spillway and the dam body and underneath the spillway.

As a result of the additional grouting measures, the spring discharges observed downstream of the dam embankment decreased. However, the seepage paths were extended and were moved with time so that the seepage problems are still continuing.     

Seepage problems in the karstic limestone foundation of the Kalecik Dam (south Turkey)

Seepage phenomena through the karstic limestone foundation of Kalecik Dam are investigated. The dam, designed as a rock-fill dam with a height of 77 m, is already used for irrigation. The foundation consists of Mesozoic ophiolite, Paleocene allochthonous units composed of different lithologies, and Miocene conglomerate. The conglomerate lies unconformably on the other units. Quaternary basaltic lava patchily covers the others. Seepage from upstream to downstream occurs through the allochthonous karstic limestone. This limestone, which is overlain by conglomerates, has a thickness increasing towards the right abutment.

To prevent seepage at the right abutment, a 200-m long and 60-m deep grout curtain along the dam axis was constructed. After the impoundment, some springs occurred downstream, and for this reason, extra grouting was performed. However, the seepage problem could not be solved. In order to determine the seepage direction and karstification pattern, hydrological studies have been done. Additional investigation boreholes have been drilled to observe fluctuations of the groundwater level and to analyze hydrochemistry. Also, dye tracer tests have been carried out.

As a result of these hydrogeological studies, seepage paths were observed in the karstic limestone located between the dam and the spillway. As those carbonate rocks continue beneath the spillway, the seepage problems are enjected to continue.     

Gypsum-karst problems in constructing dams in the USA

Gypsum is a highly soluble rock and is dissolved readily to form caves, sinkholes, disappearing streams, and other karst features that typically are also present in limestones and dolomites. Gypsum karst is widespread in the USA and has caused problems at several sites where dams were built, or where dam construction was considered. Gypsum karst is present (at least locally) in most areas where gypsum crops out, or is less than 30–60 m below the land surface. These karst features can compromise on the ability of a dam to hold water in a reservoir, and can even cause collapse of a dam. Gypsum karst in the abutments or foundation of a dam can allow water to pass through, around, or under a dam, and solution channels can enlarge quickly, once water starts flowing through such a karst system. The common procedure for controlling gypsum karst beneath the dam is a deep cut-off trench, backfilled with impermeable material, or a close-spaced grout curtain that hopefully will fill all cavities. In Oklahoma, the proposed Upper Mangum Dam was abandoned before construction, because of extensive gypsum karst in the abutments and impoundment area. Catastrophic failure of the Quail Creek Dike in southwest Utah in 1989 was due to flow of water through an undetected karstified gypsum unit beneath the earth-fill embankment. The dike was rebuilt, at a cost of US $12 million, with construction of a cut-off trench 600 m long and 25 m deep. Other dams in the USA with severe gypsum-karst leakage problems in recent years are Horsetooth and Carter Lake Dams, in Colorado, and Anchor Dam, in Wyoming.     

The Lar Dam; an example of infrastructural development in a geologically active karstic region

The problems associated with the construction of the Lar Dam, Iran, provide a classic example of problems that can result from infrastructural development in an active geological terrain which includes the regional carbonate units. The Lar Dam lies in a heavily faulted and fractured region close to the active Damavand volcano. The fracturing has enhanced the production of karst and sinkholes in the limestone below the dam, and acidic ground-water run-off from the Damavand volcano increases the dissolution of the carbonate beds along the fractures to produce sinkholes below the dam. The initial problem of building the dam in such a region is compounded by the relationship between water loss due to enhanced sinkhole development and the remedial measures being taken to lessen this leakage. Drainage of the sub-reservoir caverns through leakage along fractures can lead to loss of hydrostatic support for the developing sub-reservoir caverns, and their consequent collapse. Furthermore, rapid changes in subterranean water levels would lead to rock-shattering hammer effects particularly during rapid rises in water level.     

Water leakage from the power tunnel of Gezende Dam,southern Turkey: a case study

This study covers the investigations of the reasons of deformations and leakages in the energy tunnels of Gezende Dam constructed in 1990 for hydroelectric energy and the recommendations for treatments of the problems. Gezende Dam is located 30 km southwest of Mut county/Mersin in southern Turkey. The dam is concrete arch type with a height of 72 m. The energy tunnel with an approximate length of 9 km passes through six different geological units in age of Mesozoic to Cenozoic. After a short period of time of the operation of the tunnel, leakage has started from the section of gypsum, which is intercalated with dolomitic limestone between chainage from 5,970 to 6,840 m. The deformations have occurred in the concrete tunnel and springs have been detected at different places and times through the Ermenek Canyon since 1996. The preventive precautions of the water effect caused by groundwater effect on gypsum are as follows: (1) contact and consolidation grouting in the tunnel between chainage from 5,910 to 6,840 m, (2) removal of damage on the tunnel line, (3) reinforcement of the tunnel again, and (4) application of new concrete lining. Besides, a drainage gallery of 320 m was excavated in the 23 m lower and 15 m left part of tunnel base elevation in order to diminish the effect of groundwater in the section where the deformation occurred.     

Construction of grout curtain in karstic environment case study: Salman Farsi Dam

Salman Farsi is an arch-gravity dam. It is 125 m high and located on the Ghareh-Agaj River in Fars province, south of Iran. From the geological and hydrogeological point of view, this dam is one of the most complicated sites in Iran. Existence of 40 springs at the river level (including hot springs), and many faults and crushed zones are part of these complications. The dam site is famous for its numerous big caverns. Main characteristics of the rock mass are: (1) low permeable limestone of moderate to high strength, (2) high karstification generally localized around intersection of faults or discontinuities. The main purpose of grout curtains is to change the hydrogeological characteristics (reducing the permeability) of the rock mass. Constructing a grout curtain in a karstic environment with a high random distribution of karst features contains some uncertainties and surprises cannot be excluded. During the excavation of grouting galleries, some big caverns at both abutments were discovered. The volume of the biggest one (Golshan’s Cave) exceeds 150,000 m³. A large-scale underground geotechnical treatment is needed to improve the water tightness of the dam site.     

径向水力喷射钻井技术在煤矿注浆孔中的应用

采用石油行业径向水平喷射钻井技术在煤矿注浆堵水方面可实现水平定向射流成孔,在薄层灰岩、奥陶系灰岩承压含水层中寻找沟通裂隙,尤其在直井或分支井段较小漏水的情况下可进行多分支喷射,还可以加适量盐酸、酸化缓蚀剂进行局部酸化沟通裂隙,压裂地层,从而降低注浆压力,提高注浆堵水效果。径向水力喷射钻井在峰峰集团梧桐庄矿9号注浆孔应用取得了一定的成效。该技术也可作为地热井增大水量的一种手段。     

三峡库区泥灰质岩石斜坡带构造对岩溶地质灾害的控制机理

三峡库区三叠系巴东组(T26)泥灰质岩石岩溶是移民迁建中发现的重大工程地质问题。泥灰质岩石中的构造非常复杂，包括老构造、新构造和表生构造，它们共同控制了岩溶作用。老构造中，褶皱和断裂带等局部构造控制着岩溶的重要部位和重要层位，节理和层理等小构造使岩溶普遍存在。新构造时期地表隆升和河流切割使岩体卸荷松动，岩溶通道扩宽。表生岩溶构造加密了岩溶通道，使岩溶作用增强。三峡库区泥灰质岩石斜坡带地质灾害形成的机理遵循着构造控制下岩溶发育的规律性，致使岩溶地质灾害具有范围广、规模大和结构复杂的特点。岩溶地质灾害的形式包括地面不均匀沉降、地裂缝、滑坡、崩塌、泥石流和地面塌陷。     

Geomorphological, geochemical and geo-environmental aspects of karstification in the urban areas of Kerman city, southeastern, Iran

Kerman city has a semiarid-arid climate with an average annual precipitation of about 158 mm. The area is underlain by soluble subsoil and alluvial deposits, overlying highly fractured Cretaceous limestones. Geo-environmental studies indicate that both paleokarst and active karst features are developed in the area. The paleokarsts were developed in the Upper Cretaceous limestone during the cold, humid periods of Post Cretaceous and probably Early Quaternary time and include honeycombs, solution flutes, rillenkarren, caverns, and solution collapse dolines. Active karst landforms occur by combined piping-induced and limestone solution at depth in subsoils, and alluvial deposits and bajada that overly potent karstic limestones and cover subsidence sinkholes and subjacent alluvial karst collapse dolines. Many factors, such as soluble compounds (salt and gypsum), desiccation cracks, and Qanat (dug water wells), could contribute to the development of karstic landforms. The most immediate cause for active karst landforms is considered to be the drawdown of the water table in the area. There is an increasing demand for groundwater consumption to irrigate pistachio fields. Excessive pumping of the groundwater lowers the water table about 80 cm per year. This rate of drawdown accelerates land subsidence (about 6 cm per year), creates circular patterns of fractures in the ground and in buildings, disrupts agricultural work and urbanization projects, and tilts foundations. These geohazards indicate that ground sinking and karstification are in progress in the alluvial deposits and underlying limestones. The disturbance and expense caused by the geohazards could be mitigated by the application of overhead sprinkler irrigation for pistachio fields or by planting less thirsty plants.     

塘口水电站坝基岩体透水性和渗漏问题分析

塘口水电站大坝基础座落在断层和裂隙较发育的龟裂纹灰岩上,岩体完整性差、透水性强,多年运行后,大坝灌浆廊道和排水廊道出现多处集中性漏水,为确保大坝安全和电站正常发电,根据渗漏性质和成因,采用对灌浆廊道补充帷幕灌浆,对排水廊道进行固结+帷幕+回填灌浆。通过灌浆处理后,效果良好,表明灌浆工程有效的将导致坝基渗漏的上下游的裂隙通道封闭,并顺利的经受了随后的汛期洪水考验,大坝安全得到保障。     

西南某水电站断裂构造和层间溶蚀带组合岩溶渗漏研究

西南某水电站坝址基岩为碳酸盐岩,坝区断层构造和岩溶较发育。水库蓄水后,坝址右岸抗力体1 315 m排水洞出现持续渗漏。随库区水位升高,涌水量逐渐加大至约1.9 m3·s?1,水库无法正常蓄水。为查明库水渗漏途径,有针对性地采取措施减少渗漏量,开展了岩溶渗漏研究。通过工程地质测绘、岩溶水文地质调查、钻探、压水试验、孔内电视、孔内电磁波CT等勘察手段,结合前期平硐、基坑开挖和物探等勘查成果,并利用灌浆孔灌浆过程试验数据,最终查明库水渗漏通道:在水压力作用下,库水沿断裂构造F₁₂下渗,在深部沿层间溶蚀带绕过防渗帷幕,呈30°倾角向下游逐步抬升,最终通过竖向岩溶发育带,从1 315 m排水洞地质薄弱点涌出。通过对灌浆帷幕采取补强措施,封堵了主要渗漏通道,库水渗漏得到有效控制,达到了设计要求。      

鄂尔多斯盆地东南部宜川—黄龙地区奥陶系风化壳储层发育特征

综合利用地震、测井和岩心等资料,对鄂尔多斯盆地东南部宜川—黄龙地区奥陶系碳酸盐岩储层进行了分析,认为该区具岩溶储层标志特征。岩心分析测试表明:该区风化壳储层岩石类型为含膏白云岩及次生灰岩;储集空间为白云岩溶蚀孔洞、次生灰岩相对孤立溶孔和裂缝;储层整体较为致密,孔隙度为0.30%~11.54%,平均值为3.90%,渗透率为(0.002~15.450)×10~(-3)μm~2,平均值为0.710×10~(-3)μm~2。储层形成受顺层岩溶作用影响,综合古地貌、沉积相、裂缝等条件认为,宜川古潜台西侧区域为古地貌较高部位,顺层岩溶储层较为发育,是后期勘探开发的有利区。     

赤泥库大坝渗漏分析及灌浆处理技术

由于施工质量问题,洛阳一个赤泥库大坝在试运行中发生大面积渗漏及管涌。在对渗漏原因进行分析的基础上实施的在坝内坡增设土工膜、坝轴线上游增设帷幕灌浆防渗墙、坝体下游坡面增设排渗沟和排水棱体等抢险加固措施,有效地解决了坝体渗漏问题。在灌浆处理过程中,针对筑坝材料的复杂性和不均匀性,通过施工前的灌浆试验,取得了适合本场地条件的钻孔施工工艺参数及灌浆方式、灌浆压力、灌浆段确定、水灰比比级等施工技术参数,确保了灌浆处理的效果。     

湖南新田水浸窝水库渗漏分析及其治理

水浸窝水库是采用全封闭式堵洞而成的地下、地表水库。其渗漏类型按渗漏及出流状况分,属于集中管道渗漏、集中管道式出流;以渗漏场在水库中所处的地貌部位分,属于近坝库岸渗漏类型(坝下渗漏)。解决该水库渗漏的最佳方案是在原坝址上游83. 0m处修建新坝并辅以适当的帷幕灌浆处理。该处工程地质条件好,无需清基,坝前有天然通气孔,经济安全。      

复杂岩溶水系统势汇区建坝成库可行性研究

北盘江流域沿线山高谷深,岩溶水文地质条件复杂,局部区域水资源短缺,岩溶渗漏问题成为水利水电工程建设的瓶颈。文章综合地质调查测绘、钻探及物探、水文地质试验、岩溶水系统分析、地下水均衡分析等方法,论证了PCH水库不会发生邻谷渗漏及绕坝基深部的岩溶管道型渗漏,但发生溶隙型渗漏的可能性较大。采用有限元法模拟溶隙渗漏显示:随着T₁yn1-1灰岩溶蚀率的增大,坝基抗滑稳定系数稍有降低,潜在失稳模式为后缘剪断T₁yn1-2岩体,前缘沿T₁yn1-2层内岩屑夹泥型软弱结构面剪出;坝基渗漏量呈线性增加,T₁yn1-1灰岩溶隙密集带为坝基主要渗漏区。当溶隙密集带沿T₁yn1-1灰岩与T₁yn1-2泥灰岩接触带水平发育且集中分布时,坝基抗滑稳定系数将明显减小,坝基渗漏量将明显增大;当溶隙密集带垂直发育、分散发育或主要分布于坝后区域时,其对坝基抗滑稳定及坝基渗漏量影响微弱。岩溶水文地质分析及数值模拟均显示,复杂岩溶水系统势汇区下游区域多以溶隙渗漏为主,其工程影响有限,具备建坝成库条件。      

黄河黑山峡大柳树坝坝址岩体渗漏量及灌浆量数值模拟研究

大坝坝址岩体的渗漏研究对于大坝的安全运营至关重要。在进行渗漏治理的措施中,灌浆是常见的一种,但目前确定灌浆的各项参数,如配合比,孔距等,需通过灌浆试验花费大量的人财物力及时间才能确定。为快速查清每一种灌浆方案所灌浆量,本文针对模拟坝址水库渗漏灌浆效果的三维数值模拟开展了计算研究。在对大柳树坝坝址岩体地质情况及渗漏情况分析的基础上,将蓄水前的地下水运移规律模拟出,与实际通过钻孔平硐资料及分析得出的实际地下水运移规律做比较,验证对地下水运移规律的假设;然后将蓄水后的地下水运移规律模拟出,确定地下水的运移规律,了解地下水运移的方向,验证与根据实际情况初步判断的地下水运移方向是否吻合;最后通过数值模拟确定在一定灌浆浆液配合比的情况下所需灌浆量与实际的灌浆试验结果做比较。得出结果与实际灌浆试验结果吻合,证明通过数值模拟,建立浆液配合比与灌浆效果之间的关系,在类似情况快速地选取配合比是可行的。     

Characterization of limestone reacted with acid-mine drainage in a pulsed limestone bed treatment system at the Friendship Hill National Historical Site,Pennsylvania, USA

Armoring of limestone is a common cause of failure in limestone-based acid-mine drainage (AMD) treatment systems. Limestone is the least expensive material available for acid neutralization, but is not typically recommended for highly acidic, Fe-rich waters due to armoring with Fe(III) oxyhydroxide coatings. A new AMD treatment technology that uses CO₂ in a pulsed limestone bed reactor minimizes armor formation and enhances limestone reaction with AMD. Limestone was characterized before and after treatment with constant flow and with the new pulsed limestone bed process using AMD from an inactive coal mine in Pennsylvania (pH=2.9, Fe =150 mg/l, acidity =1000 mg/l CaCO₃). In constant flow experiments, limestone is completely armored with reddish-colored ochre within 48 h of contact in a fluidized bed reactor. Effluent pH initially increased from the inflow pH of 2.9 to over 7, but then decreased to <4 during the 48 h of contact. Limestone grains developed a rind of gypsum encapsulated by a 10- to 30-μm thick, Fe-Al hydroxysulfate coating. Armoring slowed the reaction and prevented the limestone from generating any additional alkalinity in the system. With the pulsed flow limestone bed process, armor formation is largely suppressed and most limestone grains completely dissolve resulting in an effluent pH of >6 during operation. Limestone removed from a pulsed bed pilot plant is a mixture of unarmored, rounded and etched limestone grains and partially armored limestone and refractory mineral grains (dolomite, pyrite). The ∼30% of the residual grains in the pulsed flow reactor that are armored have thicker (50- to 100-μm), more aluminous coatings and lack the gypsum rind that develops in the constant flow experiment. Aluminium-rich zones developed in the interior parts of armor rims in both the constant flow and pulsed limestone bed experiments in response to pH changes at the solid/solution interface.