Challenges of Dams in Cold Climates

• Dam Type Selection

• Logistics in Remote Territories

• Short Construction Seasons

• Severely Constrained Sites

• Protective Measures for Concrete

• Membranes

• Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Faults

USSD Cold Regions Engineering Conference

Anchorage, Alaska September 20 and 21, 2017

Karahnjukar Hydro Project,

Landsvirkjun - Iceland

Karahnjukar Hydro Project,

Landsvirkjun - Iceland

Karahnjukar Engineering Joint Venture

KEJV

MWH was a member of the VST

Sponsored Joint Venture retained for

Design and Engineering Support During

Construction

General Layout of Main Dam

Main Dam Maximum Cross Section

▪ Mobilization in Remote Area

▪ Jökuldalur Canyon: Construction of Toe Wall

▪ Jökuldalur Canyon: Dam Fill

▪ Plinth Construction

▪ Face Slab Construction

Specifc Site Challenges and Solutions

Arrange

Accommodation

for >1200 persons

Erect Plants and

Workshops

River Diversion &

Dam Excavation

Mobilization: Challenges

Rem

ote

Are

a

Temporary

accommodation &

Installation

Mobilization: Solutions

Rem

ote

Are

a

Subcontracting

Know-How &

Experienced

Personnel

Early Start of Excavation

USSD Cold Regions Engineering

Conference Anchorage, Alaska

Jökuldalur Canyon: Challenges

Toe W

all

Constr

uction

198m

Concrete

Distribution

Jökuldalur Canyon: Solutions

Toe W

all

Constr

uction

Winterizing

HOT AIR

SHELTER

Toe Wall

Completed

Core Wall With PVC Membrane

Jökuldalur Canyon: Challenges

Dam

Fill

0-300mm 0-40mm 40-150mm 150-300mm

Jökuldalur Canyon: Solutions

Dam

Fill

Jökuldalur Canyon: Solutions

Dam

Fill

Processing Plant

Conveyor

Distribution

Jökuldalur Canyon: Solutions

Dam

Fill

Rock Ladder

View of Distribution Opeeations

Plinth Construction: Challenges

Ste

ep S

lope a

nd A

rtic

Weath

er

Rockfall

protection

Ste

ep S

lope a

nd A

rtic

Weath

er

Erect protective

shelter

Winterizing

HOT AIR

Plinth Construction: Solutions

Face Slab Construction: Challenges

Schedule

and A

rtic

Weath

er

Starter Slabs &

paving machine

Face Slab Construction: Solutions

Multi tasks

Winterizing

HOT WATER

HOT AIR

Schedule

and A

rtic

Weath

er

INSULATING MATS

February 2006

June 2006

Winter 2008