The Role of Geotechnical Investigations in Enhancing the Safety and Sustainability of Hydropower Projects
Published: 2024-06-11
Page: 88-98
Issue: 2024 - Volume 7 [Issue 2]
Ifeyinwa Pamela Dibia *
Department of Geological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To examine the role of geotechnical investigations in enhancing the safety and sustainability of hydropower projects.
Objectives: The objectives are to examine the concepts, relevance and procedures of geotechnical investigations in hydropower projects.
Discussion: Geotechnical investigations are imperative for safe and sustainable hydropower projects prior the execution. The general required tasks for any geotechnical investigation were identified to include: (1) groundwater status and soil profile determination within the planned site, (2) recommendations for various building structures construction, foundation design and underground utilities, (3) recommendations for constructing parking locations and driveways and (4) recommendations for surface drainage and site preparation. The major types of geotechnical report were found to be geotechnical design report and geotechnical site investigation report. Also, reconnaissance, preliminary site investigation, detailed site investigation and site investigation report and recommendations are the stages involved in a geotechnical site investigation. Borings for exploration and in-situ tests are the identified methods of geotechnical site investigation.
Conclusion: In conclusion, geotechnical investigations are relevant for safe and sustainable hydropower projects.
Keywords: Hydropower projects, geotechnical investigations, surface drainage, site preparation, soil profile determination
How to Cite
References
Sebbeh-Newton S, Shehu SA, Ayawah P, Kaba AA, Zabidi H. Analytical and numerical assessment of a preliminary support design—A case study. Cogent Eng. 2022;8:1869367.
Xing Y, Kulatilake PHSW, Sandbak LA. Stability assessment and support design for underground tunnels located in complex geologies and subjected to engineering activities: Case Study. Int. J. Geomech. 2023;19:05019004.
Zhang Q, Jia CJ, Yu J, Zhou JW. Multisphere representation of convex polyhedral particles for DEM simulation. Adv. Civ. Eng. 2021;2023:8846004
Xing Y, Kulatilake PHSW, Sandbak LA. Effect of rock mass and discontinuity mechanical properties and delayed rock supporting on tunnel stability in an underground mine. Eng. Geol. 2022;238:62–75.
Zhang Q, Zheng Y. Geotechnical investigations and support design for an underground powerhouse of pumped-storage power station: A case study in Chongqing, China. Sustainability. 2022;14:8481.
Yalcin E, Gurocak Z, Ghabchi R, Zaman M. Numerical analysis for a realistic support design: Case study of the komurhan tunnel in Eastern Turkey. Int. J. Geomech. 2021;16:05015001.
Barton N, Lien R, Lunde J. Engineering classification of rock masses for the design of tunnel support. Rock Mech. 1974;6:189–236.
Yang SQ, Chen M, Jing HW, Chen KF, Meng B. A case study on large deformation failure mechanism of deep soft rock roadway in Xin’An coal mine, China. Eng. Geol. 2023;217:89–101.
Yuan C, Su C. Structural characteristics of Panlong underground powerhouse considering excavation of all caverns. Adv. Sci. Technol. Water Resour. 2018;38:56–61.
Liu QS, Liu JP, Pan YC, Kong XX, Hong KR. A case study of TBM performance prediction using a Chinese rock mass classification system—Hydropower Classification (HC) method. Tunn. Undergr. Space Technol. 2017;65:140–154.
Hudson JA, Cornet FH, Christiansson R. ISRM suggested methods for rock stress estimation-part 1: Strategy for rock stress estimation. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 2021;40:991–998.
Mahmudi M, Çakici S. Importance of geological and geotechnical investigations in hydropower plant projects-a case study. ENGGEO’2019: National Symposium on Engineering Geology and Geotechnics. PAU Denizli; 03-05 October 2019.
Shreedharan S, Kulatilake PHSW. Discontinuum-equivalent continuum analysis of the stability of tunnels in a deep coal mine using the distinct element method. Rock Mech. Rock Eng. 2016;49:1903–1922.
Kulatilake PHSW, Park J, Um JG. Estimation of rock mass strength and deformability in 3-D for a 30 m cube at a depth of 485m at Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory. Geotech. Geol. Eng. 2019;22:313–330.
Jing L. A review of techniques, advances and outstanding issues in numerical modelling for rock mechanics and rock engineering. Int. J. Rock Mech. Min. Sci. 2018;40:283–353.
Oruonye DE. Morphometry and Flood in Small Drainage Basin: Case study of mayogwoi river basin in Jalingo, Taraba State Nigeria. J. Geo. Env. Earth Sci. Int. [Internet]. 2016 Jan. 9 [cited 2024 May 21];5(1):1-12.
Available:https://journaljgeesi.com/index.php/JGEESI/article/view/244
Hegde R, Kumar MBM, Niranjana KV, Seema KV, Dhanorkar BA. Characterization and classification of soils of harve-1 microwatershed of Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka, India. Curr. J. Appl. Sci. Technol. [Internet]. 2020 Dec. 31 [cited 2024 May 21];39(48):43-54. Available:https://journalcjast.com/index.php/CJAST/article/view/3288
Berger C, Rosentreter J, Voltersen M, Baumgart C, Schmullius C, Hese S. Spatio-temporal analysis of the relationship between 2D/3D urban site characteristics and land surface temperature. Remote Sensing of Environment. 2017 May 1;193:225-43.