Dam Safety Data Management

Corps of EngineersBUILDING STRONG®

Dam Safety Data Management

William Empson, PE, PMP Senior Levee Safety Program Risk ManagerU.S. Army Corps of EngineersRisk Management Center William.B.Empson@usace.army.mil

Dam Safety WorkshopBrasília, Brazil20-24 May 2013

Data Management

You have the data – what next?

Amanda Sutter, P.E.CEMVS

Purpose

Perform timely evaluation of data to assure that unsafe performance of a

structure is detected as early as possible.

Objectives

Learn various methods of data collection, processing, presentation, evaluation and reporting requirements

Identify various factors that influence dam

safety instrumentation data.

Components of Data Management

Collection Reduction and processing Presentation Evaluation

Data Collection Schedule

Factors affecting schedulePurpose of the instrumentProject conditionsAge of projectLoading eventObserved anomalyAvailability of personnelProject locationFundingCorporate policy

Flood

Funds NewLeak

Data Collection

Data set should containProjectInstrument IDInstrument readingReadout unitReader’s nameDatePool and TailWeather conditionsUnusual conditionsInstrument damage

Data Collection

ConsistencyPersonnelManner readings are takenEquipmentLabel instruments

Train data collection personnel Multiple readings Coordination of instrument readings

Data Collection

Data Entry

Data booksField sheetLaptop computerHandheld or pocket computer

Data Collection

Equipment used to monitor instruments should be calibrated and in good operating condition.

Good communication is critical between person(s) reading instruments and office personnel

Threshold values should be established and furnished to person(s) collecting and transmitting data.

Reduction and Processing

Data Reduction Software

Corps Instrumentation Database Package, WinIDPSoftware developed in districtCommercial software

Microsoft Excel or AccessSINCOGeoKonGeomation

WinIDP Development

–HQUSACE proponent–Based on survey of Districts (1990)

• Dam safety instrumentation needs• Compatibility with existing databases

–Converted to windows 1996–Web portal and GIS modules 2003–Continually updated; current version 5.5d

Latest version added Grapher 7 and modified scheduled tasks for data import and plotting.

WinIDP: Features► User defined formats for input, plots, reports

Time dependent constants (repair riser => new elevation)

► Manual data entry with shared field conditions► Data import (can be automated / scheduled)► Compatible with Geomation and CSI dataloggers► Recalculate by data set or instrument► Data edit by data set or instrument

Mask data that is questionableBatch plottingNetwork or stand aloneMultiple users (concurrent use)

► Internet accessible, WebIDP.

WebIDP Requires internet explorer and

internet access - No local installation.

Data entry Plots Reports

WinIDP: Benefits

A Good Choice► Supported by COE dam safety people► Tailored for dam instrumentation► Upgrades and costs shared with others► Compatible with other engineering processes and

other information systems used in dam safety► Program is free. Pay as you go for support ► Don’t reinvent the wheel – improve the wheel if

needed.

Data Presentation

Time History Plots

Positional Plots

Multiple Plots

Correlation Plots

How does this data look?

How about this data?

What if I told you it’s the same data?

Guidelines for Presentation

• Appropriate scale• Standardize format• Display relevant field conditions• Location and cross section on graphs• Note events and observations that may explain unusual data

• Avoid over crowded plots

Time Series

Jan-1997 Ju l-1997 Jan-1998 Jul-1998 Jan-1999 Jul-1999 Jan-2000 Ju l-2000 Jan-2001 Ju l-2001 Jan-2002 Jul-2002390

400

410

420

430

440

ELE

VA

TIO

N (F

T-N

GV

D)

O pen System P iezom eters

PoolTa ilwaterOS PD -11-1OS PD -11-2OS PD -11-5OS PD -11-6

M ELVIN PR IC E LO C KS & D AM

INSTR. T IPN O . STA . O FFS ET ELEV.O SPD-11-1 24+83.5 U /S 11.2 354.0 O SPD-11-2 24+80.5 U /S 6 .2 354.0 O SPD-11-5 24+81.8 U /S 33.5 354.0 O SPD-11-6 24+82.8 U /S 80.8 344.0

Positional (Fixed) & Multiple Graphs

Positional (Variable)Clarence Cannon Dam Scour Survey at Station 15+25

510

520

530

540

550

560

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

OFFSET FROM LEFT BANK IN FEET (LOOKING DOWNSTREAM)

ELEV

ATIO

N (F

T-N

GVD

)

09/30/1997

09/18/1998

10/04/1999

09/26/2000

Correlation

Slide 25 of 82

Loading Path PresentationBest Fit

Slide 26 of 82

Loading Path PresentationUpstream Limited

Slide 27 of 82

Loading Path PresentationStorage

Analysis and EvaluationTrends, Patterns and Thresholds

Performance PredictionRecent dataHistorical dataField conditions“Reasonable” limits

Benefits to performance prediction

• Quick assessment of dam behavior• Indication that data was collected properly• Field conditions• Alert that readings are outside expected

values

Warning for threshold use• Will not reveal plugged instrument• Only as good as data derived from• Should not substitute for thorough data

analysis

Thresholds may be applied during• Data collection• Data entry• Data evaluation

Analysis and Evaluation

Compare Current Data to Recent dataHistorical data (established trend)InitialField conditionsDesign Prediction / ThresholdsOther instrument types

Analysis and Evaluation

Other considerations• Construction activities.• Maintenance of instrument.• Change of procedures.

(i.e. temperature correction; esp. concrete)• Change of equipment or personnel.• Lag time.

Actions after the analyses• Document the evaluation.• Verify suspect readings and readout calibration.• Verify procedures (I.e. different sensitivity setting).• Duplicate reading.• Notify pertinent personnel• Verify with other instrument type• Ask for visual observation of area• Modify collection schedule• Request additional investigation

Actions after the analyses

Reporting Requirements Annual instrumentation summary

and evaluation to Division Evaluation to be included in

Periodic Inspections

Instrumentation Planning

1. Predict controlling mechanism (I.e. Pool)2. Define question to be answered (I.e Cutoff is

90% effective)3. Select parameter to monitor (I.e. piezometric

elevation)4. Predict magnitude of change (I.e. 50 feet)5. Select instrument location (I.e. toe of dam)6. Select instrument7. Select reading frequency8. Data collection and management“Geotechnical Instrumentation for Monitoring Field Performance” Dunnicliff, 1993“Instrumentation of Embankment Dams and Levees” EM1110-2-1908, 30 Jun 1995

Objectives

Learn various methods of data collection, processing, presentation, evaluation and reporting requirements

Identify various factors that influence dam

safety instrumentation data.

Conclusion

Perform timely evaluation of data to assure that unsafe performance of a

structure is detected as early as possible.

Instrumentation data is a valuable asset for

the life of the structure.

Backup the data.

Discussion

Shelbyville DamPiezometer monitoring example

Spillway retaining wall

Open-System Piezometer

Stilling Basin

Flow

PW-08

PW-09

PW-10

Dam

Cen

terli

ne

Open-System Piezometer (wellpoint tip)Set in pervious backfillPervious backfill has a drainage collector perforated pipe

PW-08

Collector pipe

PW-0

8

PW-0

9

PW-1

0

Piezometer Data Evaluation

What is observed on the plot• Progressive increase in piezometric pressure• Behavior not consistent with previous high pools• Downstream piezometers reflect tailwater (expected)• PW-08 was typically dry (expected)

What factors could be relevant • Time • High pool• Backfill material clogged or collector pipe blockage• Temperature• Coal mine treatment• Piezometer tip clogged or riser cracked

Previous falling head tests (5’ fall in 5 minutes in 2003)

Piezometer Data Evaluation

What actions could be taken1. Do not assume impending failure of the dam2. Observe the area for distress3. Check visually for instrument damage4. Notify project staff, management, and other pertinent staff5. Perform rising and falling head tests6. Sound bottom of hole7. Use inflatable bladder to test for breaks in the piezometer8. Install additional instrumentation9. Analyze wall stability10. Increase reading frequency11. Automate with alarm callout12. Pump down drainage manhole and camera inspect the pipe13. Further literature research on foundation treatment

EXERCISE 1: Piezometer Data Evaluation

What would be your recommended threshold for PW-081. Dry2. Tailwater plus 5 feet

What would be your recommended threshold for PW-091. Tailwater plus 5 feet

Which phases of data collection and evaluation could the thresholds be implemented2. Data collection (Automated or Manual)3. Data entry4. Data plots5. Data evaluation