Case Study: Dillon Dam Trashrack Damage
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 128, Issue 2
Abstract
In 1986 the trashracks on the intake to the outlet works at Dillon Dam in Colorado were damaged due to filling the intake tunnel too rapidly. As the air from the tunnel was discharged through the intake structure, high velocities displaced two horizontal trashracks and removed one vertical trashrack from its guides. This damage was discovered through an underwater inspection in 1996. The addition of an air vent and the establishment of a filling procedure provided a solution to the problem. The quantity of air in the intake tunnel was reduced through the installation of a 102 mm (4 in.) diam air valve and 63.5 mm vent hole in the crown of the intake tunnel at the control tower. Since the vent could not remove all the air in the tunnel, the tunnel was filled by opening the emergency gate 7.9 mm in.) and letting the conduit fill over a 12 h period.
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References
Martin, C. S. (1976). “Entrapped Air in Pipelines.” Proc., 2nd Int. Conf. on Pressure Surges, BHRA, Bedford, England.
Lee, N. H., and Martin, C. S. (1999). “Experimental and Analytical Investigation of Entrapped Air in a Horizontal Pipe,” Proc., 3rd ASME/JSME Joint Fluids Engineering Conf., 18–23 July, San Francisco, Paper No. FEDSM 99-6881.
Martin, C. S., and Lee, N. H. (2000). “Rapid Expulsion of Entrapped Air Through an Orifice.” BHR Group 2000 Pressure Surges.
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Weldon, J. H. (2000). “Do You Have Air Vents on Your Dam’s Outlet Works?” Assoc. State Dam Safety Officials, 2000 West Region Annual Conf. and Technical Seminar, Portland, Ore.
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Copyright © 2002 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Apr 30, 2001
Accepted: Oct 25, 2001
Published online: Feb 1, 2002
Published in print: Feb 2002
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