A case study of the application of wedge-shaped block protection: the spillway of Barriga Dam (Spain)
A case study of the application of wedge-shaped block protection: the spillway of Barriga Dam (Spain)
The spillway of Barriga Dam (Burgos, Spain) may be considered a singular case study in dam engineering. The spillway has been working successfully for 10 years with seasonal discharges in winter and springtime. Its distinguishing features are its location, on the rockfill dam body, and the chute, composed of wedge-shaped concrete blocks (WSBs). In such a way, the design and construction of the spillway involved two years of applied research and international collaboration. As a result of that, two scaled physical models were developed at Colorado State University (Fort Collins, Colorado) and the Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (Lisbon, Portugal). The conclusion of this experience is that WSBs technology is cost-effective, easy to install, and may be suitable for the appliance as auxiliary spillways, or service spillways of small dams, cofferdams or ponds. However, the technology is still immature and engineers have to be cautious about its risks. Therefore, more experience and additional research are needed in the future to consolidate the practical application of this technology.
The upper figure shows the construction of the WSB spillway of the Barriga Dam.
References
More information about this case may be found in the following references:
Couto, L. T., Pinto Magalhães, A., Toledo, M. A., & Morán, R. (2006). A new solution for a concrete spillway over a rockfill dam. Hydraulic model study of Barriga Dam in Spain. In 5th International Conference on Dam Engineering. ISBN (pp. 978-981).
Morán, R., & Toledo, M. A. (2008). Wedge-shaped blocks spillway upon Barriga Dam (Burgos). VIII Jornadas españolas de presas, Córdoba, Spain. SPANCOLD.
About Rafael Morán
- Web |
- More Posts(5)
Este artículo es muy valioso porque destaca cómo la tecnología WSB ofrece una solución rentable y de instalación sencilla para estructuras hidráulicas pequeñas, lo que podría optimizar proyectos en zonas con recursos limitados.
The Barriga Dam spillway case study is fascinating, showcasing the potential of wedge-shaped block technology. I wonder what specific risks engineers need to be most cautious about and how future research might address them. Could WSBs become a standard solution for small dam spillways once the technology matures?
Thank you for your comment. Yes, this is especially true for dams with low potential risk. However, several key aspects must be carefully addressed in each case to ensure high confidence in their performance.