Description
Operation and maintenance activities of water distribution canals are becoming more relevant. The appearance of small leakages in these canals during its operation cause severe structural damages. The inspection is done through visual inspections, and mainly when water distribution canals are empty for maintenance. The existing limitations of visual inspections should be complemented and supported with other potential techniques that will capture more than normal visual inspections, and be capable of analysing the characteristics of the ground and the hydraulic structure for early detection of anomalies such as leakages and cavities. The project aims at researching and developing a new methodology to carry out efficient inspections of water distribution canals by researching and developing techniques that will allow to analyse the material properties of the ground and the hydraulic structure itself for early detection of anomalies. It will ensure the structural integrity of the water canals, decrease the hydrological impact of hydropower plants and improve the maintenance and operation.
Summary of project results
It has been successfully developed a new inspection methodology of water distribution canals, determining and prioritizing the most suitable techniques for each type of structure to be inspected and the state of the same (charging or discharging), so that can be implemented within a new procedure in the framework of the activities of life management of assets of the company. The development of the project has led to a thorough knowledge of the baseline situation of the hydraulic structures of the studied canals that were lacking so far. The project has allowed to obtain a real image of the current state of the canals structures and the new inspection methodology will allow to implement the necessary monitoring to measure changes in the behavior of these structures and thus increase the security level, both the facility itself and possible effects on third parties, as it will be possible to take preventive measures in managing these channels.
Summary of bilateral results