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    Hosted by

    Black & Veatch Corporation

    GEI Consultants, Inc.

    Kleinfelder, Inc.

    MWH Americas, Inc.

    Parsons Water and Infrastructure Inc.

    URS Corporation

    21st Century Dam Design

    Advances and Adaptations

    31st Annual USSD Conference

    San Diego, California, April 11-15, 2011

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    On the CoverArtist's rendition of San Vicente Dam after completion of the dam raise project to increase local storage and provide

    a more flexible conveyance system for use during emergencies such as earthquakes that could curtail the regions

    imported water supplies.The existing 220-foot-high dam, owned by the City of San Diego, will be raised by 117

    feet to increase reservoir storage capacity by 152,000 acre-feet. The project will be the tallest dam raise in the

    United States and tallest roller compacted concrete dam raise in the world.

    The information contained in this publication regarding commercial projects or firms may not be used for

    advertising or promotional purposes and may not be construed as an endorsement of any product or

    from by the United States Society on Dams. USSD accepts no responsibility for the statements made

    or the opinions expressed in this publication.

    Copyright 2011 U.S. Society on Dams

    Printed in the United States of America

    Library of Congress Control Number: 2011924673ISBN 978-1-884575-52-5

    U.S. Society on Dams

    1616 Seventeenth Street, #483

    Denver, CO 80202

    Telephone: 303-628-5430

    Fax: 303-628-5431

    E-mail: [email protected]

    Internet: www.ussdams.org

    U.S. Society on Dams

    Vision

    To be the nation's leading organization of professionals dedicated to advancing the role of dams

    for the benefit of society.

    MissionUSSD is dedicated to:

    Advancing the knowledge of dam engineering, construction, planning, operation,

    performance, rehabilitation, decommissioning, maintenance, security and safety;

    Fostering dam technology for socially, environmentally and financially sustainable water

    resources systems;

    Providing public awareness of the role of dams in the management of the nation's water

    resources;

    Enhancing practices to meet current and future challenges on dams; and

    Representing the United States as an active member of the International Commission onLarge Dams (ICOLD).

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    Wyaralong RCC Dam 245

    WYARALONG RCC DAM SUMMARY & THE IMPACT OF LOW QUALITY

    AGGREGATE ON DESIGN

    Colleen Stratford1

    Emily Schwartz2

    Robert Montalvo

    3

    Ernest Schrader4

    Richard Herweynen5

    ABSTRACT

    Wyaralong dam in Southeast Queensland, Australia is a 47 m high RCC dam containing160,000 m

    3of RCC. Influenced by foundation concerns, the design used a reasonably

    wide base. In combination with low seismic loading, this resulted in low stresses on the

    order of only 1 MPa compression with no significant tension. The design team opted toachieve water tightness by using a wetter consistency RCC having a cement plus fly

    ash content of 85 + 85 kg/m

    3

    , which is much more than needed for strength. Thisnormally would have required considerable cost to control thermal stresses due to

    seasonal temperature changes, heat from hydration, and stiffness of the RCC. Typically,the modulus for a mix like this would be about 27 GPa. Tests with imported basalt,

    initially considered by traditional thinking to be necessary because of the poor quality

    of on-site sandstone, had these values. However, because strength was not an issue,sandstone was also included in studies of potential aggregate. The low specific gravity of

    2,460 to 2,510 kg/m3and high absorption of 4.8% to 5.2% normally indicate unsuitable

    material. However, adequate strengths were achieved, and tests showed durability wouldnot be an issue. In addition to cost savings and avoiding issues related to hauling

    aggregate from a remote source, the most valuable advantage of the on-site sandstonewas its low RCC modulus at 10 GPa. In combination with high creep, thermal stresses

    were reduced enough to allow placing with no forced cooling.

    INTRODUCTION

    As part of the Queensland Governments response to the water shortages, a number of

    measures were proposed to improve the storage and use of water in the Logan Rivercatchment in south-east Queensland. As part of this plan, Wyaralong Dam was

    constructed. Wyaralong Dam is located on the Teviot Brook approximately 65 km south

    west of Brisbane, Australia, and has a storage capacity of 102,884 ML. The dam is a

    1

    Designer, SMEC, Level 5, 71 Queens Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia, Australia,[email protected] & Field Engineer, Paul C. Rizzo Associates, Suite 100, Building 5, 500 Penn Center Blvd.,Pittsburgh, PA, 15235, USA, [email protected] & RCC/Materials Manager, Macmahon, Level 3, 104 Melbourne St, South Brisbane 4101,

    Queensland, Australia, [email protected], Schrader Consulting, 1474 Blue Creek Road, Walla Walla, WA 99362, USA,[email protected] Dam Designer, Entura, GPO Box 355, Hobart 7001, Tasmania, Australia,

    [email protected]

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    246 21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

    roller-compacted concrete (RCC) gravity dam with a maximum height of approximately

    48m and crest length of around 500m. The spillway is incorporated in the dam andcomprises a centrally located, uncontrolled 135 m wide primary spillway, with a 150 m

    wide secondary spillway located on the left abutment. Also incorporated into the dam are

    an outlet works and a bi-directional fishlift.

    During the concept phase of the project, a review was undertaken of the construction

    materials at which point it was determined that roller-compacted concrete (RCC) was the

    most suitable and cheapest solution for the site, as opposed to earthfill or rockfillstructures. The decision was made to adopt a slightly wetter consistency RCC, with a

    conventional concrete skin on the upstream and downstream faces. The design provided

    water-tightness across lift joints without the use of bedding mix; however, as a riskreduction measure, it was decided to place bedding mix in the upstream section of each

    lift joint for added protection against seepage.

    PROJECT BACKGROUND

    Design Build Alliance

    The Wyaralong Dam was designed and constructed using the Alliance contracting

    approach. Although this is fairly popular and successful in Australia, it is not yet

    common in the USA and many other countries. In the alliance model the owner,contractor, and designers work together to deliver the project, in a risk and profit sharing

    arrangement. The owner selects the Non-owner participants through a competitive

    process.

    Originally the project was much larger in scope, also encompassing a larger dam atTraveston. Four teams, or consortiums, were chosen that comprised of the biggest and

    best design and construction companies in Australia, most strengthened with international

    organizations plus international consultants. These teams competed at their own cost fora spot in the final two for this highly sought after project.

    A different owner representative was embedded within each of the two selected teams,

    who remained until selection of the winning proposal. The teams were each provided afixed amount of funding by the owner to cover the cost associated with preparation of the

    final proposals, but the client then owned the work of both teams. The final proposals

    included basic design and planning for essentially all construction issues, includingschedule.

    A rough cost estimate was also prepared, but the basis of payment for doing the futurework was not agreed to until a Target Cost Estimate was negotiated after the winning

    team was selected. The winning team was then assured payment according to this

    estimate. Once the Target Cost Estimate was agreed upon, any cost overruns orsavings were shared equally between the Owner and the Non-owner participants, within

    the Alliance Cost. Governance for the project was the Project Alliance Board, which

    had representation from both the Owner and the Non-owner participants.

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    Wyaralong RCC Dam 247

    The winning team for the Alliance was comprised of the design firms SMEC (Aus), Paul

    C. Rizzo Associates (US), and Entura (Aus); and construction firms ASI Constructors(US), Macmahon (Aus), and Wagners (US). These companies along with the client,

    Queensland Water Infrastructure, formed the Wyaralong Dam Alliance (WDA).

    Dam Foundation

    The foundation for Wyaralong dam is comprised of Gatton formation sandstone interlaid

    predominantly with mudstone, conglomerates and coal. Investigations of the foundationwere undertaken during 2008 and 2009, and were used to develop a geological model of

    the foundation. The rock was classified based on the degree of weathering, using the

    classifications 'distinctly weathered with seams', 'distinctly weathered without seams', and'slightly weathered to fresh' rock. The design foundation level was generally based on the

    degree of weathering; rock that was classified as distinctly weathered with seams was

    removed from the dam foundation leaving only competent rock in place for the damfoundation.

    The predominant defect sets consisted of sub-horizontal bedding planes dipping 14

    degrees downstream and slightly towards the right abutment. Other significant defectsconsisted of near vertical joint sets located approximately parallel, and perpendicular to

    the strike of the bedding. The geological model was also used to identify specific weak

    layers, including sheared/crushed zones, clay infills and seams of shales and mudrock. Atotal of eight potential weak surfaces beneath the dam were identified during the

    investigation stage, all of which were orientated generally along bedding planes. One of

    these weak layers required excavation due to its close proximity to the dam-foundationcontact zone.

    The stability of the dam was governed by sliding along the bedding and potential weak

    planes immediately below the dam-foundation contact. Shear tests were used to

    determine peak and residual shear strengths for these layers, taking into consideration thejoint roughness. The advice of rock mechanics expert Dr. Ted Brown was also sought

    during the development of shear strength parameters, due to the considerable influence of

    the parameters on the dam section. The bedding planes were found to have a peak

    friction angle of around 36 degrees with no cohesion. The clay infill zones, which hadthe lowest shear strength of all weak planes, were found to have a peak friction angle of

    only 20 degrees with no cohesion, and a residual friction angle of just 15 degrees.

    Aggregate Options

    Aggregate choice was limited by geography and cost to two options: imported basalt orsite-available sandstone. Initial investigation of the sandstone indicated that it might not

    adequately meet strength and durability requirements for construction. The results of

    core sample testing and analysis suggested high water absorption, a dramatic reduction inwet strength versus dry, and the possible presence of an expansive clay matrix. Initial

    testing of the sandstone did not meet the requirements for conventional concrete

    aggregate set by Australian Standard No. 2758.1.

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    248 21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

    Table 1. On-Site Aggregate Test Results

    Test Result

    CVC

    Acceptance

    Criteria*

    Effect on

    Wyaralong

    Dam RCC

    Reason

    LA Abrasion 46 61% 50kN

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    Wyaralong RCC Dam 249

    temperature cycles (80oC to 3

    oC), extreme wet and dry cycles (saturated to oven

    dry), 72 hours of abrasion testing using iron bearing balls.

    Trial Section testing all of the likely parameters that are likely to be experiencedduring the construction of the dam.

    Based on this testing, a preliminary RCC mix design was developed and tested todemonstrate tolerable strength values, an initial design cross-section was proposed, and a

    suitable quarry location was chosen on the site. The proposed design called for a

    conventional concrete facing mix using the basalt aggregate to mitigate durabilityconcerns. This successful plan won the project.

    MATERIALS TESTING & DEVELOPMENT OF RCC MIX DESIGN

    Aggregate

    As the onsite sandstone was originally reported to be unsuitable for use as RCC

    aggregate, a comprehensive test program addressing perceived issues was conducted.Concerns surrounding the sandstones durability included the assumed presence of

    swelling clays in the aggregate matrix, breakdown of aggregate at all stages of production(crushing, stockpiling, mixing, compaction), and the presence of excessive waste during

    crushing.

    Swelling: It is typical for rocks with textural accessibility to swelling clays to reactwithin days to ethylene glycol. However, the tests of onsite sandstone showed no

    perceived reaction over even an extended period of several months. Additionally, rock

    cores were subjected to extreme conditions of exposure, including wet and dry cycles,and hot (90 C) and cold (3C) cycles with no noticeable affects. Similar tests were later

    carried out on RCC samples with analogous results.

    Crushing: Continuous efforts to increase the efficiency of crushing during aggregate

    production included allowance of more fines into the aggregate blend only after full

    laboratory trials for each increase had been done. This approach ensured the affects ofthe change would not overly affect the mix properties. By the end of crushing, the fines

    wastage had been reduced to 4%.

    The adoption of an all-in aggregate stockpile and a continuous mixer helped minimize

    concerns about breakdown.7The use of an all-in aggregate also had other related benefits,

    including more efficient use of space and more consistency in the final product; the latter

    relies on consistency during crushing and stockpiling (tight production controls) and can

    be enhanced with appropriate blending of layers during extraction.

    Once regular aggregate production commenced, quality control testing included: gradings

    and moisture on a daily basis; and Atterberg limits, specific gravity and absorption on aweekly basis. The same tests and frequencies were applied to the feeding face of the

    stockpile prior to RCC production.

    7Refer to Herweynen et al, 2010.

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    250 21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

    RCC

    The trial mix program included a significant number of variables. A broad range of data

    was obtained in order to ensure the specification parameters could be met with a

    workable mix and also to look at opportunities for improvement (including the possibility

    of allowing more fines into the aggregate).

    Another perceived opportunity was the use of sandstone fines as pozzolan given that

    preliminary chemical tests indicated pozzolanic potential. This, however, was discountedby the unsatisfactory test results.

    Due to thermal and wetness concerns, the RCC mix design was planned based on arestriction of placement to night shift only. In order to ensure that the lift surface

    remained live during the day shift so that subsequent layers would achieve full bond,

    the RCC setting time was delayed for 24 hours with admixture. Retarding admixturesfrom two suppliers were trialed. The results were encouraging for one of the admixtures,

    whereas the other one did not provide the desired results.

    During construction, samples were taken from the field on the following shift afterplacement at different elevations. These samples were taken to the lab and re-compacted

    into cylinders to be tested as regular production cylinders.

    CVC

    Facing. The abrasion resistance provided some concern for using the sandstone aggregatefor the spillway facing concrete. From a construction logistics point of view there was

    reluctance to having two different concrete mixes for the facing concrete and a decisionwas made to use a basalt aggregate concrete for the facing mix. As such the final design

    used the sandstone RCC, which was encased in a thin facing using a basalt conventional

    concrete.

    Figure 1 summarizes the abrasion test results carried out using sandstone and basalt

    conventional concrete samples in a variation of ASTM C1138. A machine built in-house

    was used to provide the rotating motion required to move the submerged iron bearingballs on the concrete.

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    Figure 1. Abrasion Results: Sandstone (left) vs. Basalt (right)

    Given the obvious property differences between RCC and facing, it was also important to

    investigate the structural bonding of these two products due to likely shear and tensilestresses that the dam may experience along this interface. This investigation included thestresses resulting from thermal differentials and large variance in modulus.

    Dental. Even though it was not used in the facing mix, sandstone was nevertheless usedin the project as dental and leveling concrete with properties more closely resembling

    those of RCC than what a basalt concrete would have provided.

    THERMAL ANALYSIS

    Risks associated with hydration-induced heat generation in the RCC were a particularly

    important component of the strain analysis conducted for Wyaralong Dam.

    Thermal Risks

    The exothermic reaction between water and cement, termed adiabatic temperature rise,

    begins immediately after the material is mixed and continues through the placement and

    curing processes. This results in a pattern of thermal expansion, followed by contraction

    as the overall structure cools to ambient temperature. Volume changes during the initialexpansion occur across the entire structure at the same rate and generally only cause

    compressive stresses, which are of minimal concern in the young and relatively elastic

    material. As curing continues however, cooling-induced contraction occurs rapidly across

    the exposed surfaces of the structure, with internal contraction occurring more slowly asheat dissipates outward over a period of months or years. This results in a variation of

    tensile stresses in the cured material, which becomes brittle as it matures. Where thesetensile stresses exceed material capacities, internal, mass gradient cracking and/or

    external, surface gradient cracking occur.

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    252 21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

    Modeling and Analysis

    Various levels of thermal analysis were undertaken during the preliminary and final

    design phases to characterize the thermal risk. These included an initial, limited Level 1

    analysis during the project proposal, followed by increasingly detailed Level 2 analyses

    as the dam geometry and RCC mix designs were finalized. The more detailed Level 2analyses were conducted to ensure that the structures internal temperature gradients,

    which are inherent to mass structures with long construction schedules, were structurally

    insignificant. These analyses also confirmed, from a thermal standpoint, that specifieddesign limits were adequate. All analyses were conducted in accordance with USACE

    guidelines as outlined in ETL 1110-2-542.

    In the Level 2 analyses, two-dimensional cross-sections of both the primary spillway and

    left abutment were developed for processing by the software THERM. These models

    required input of the following variables:

    A detailed finite element model of structure geometry and materials which

    included structural foundation, surface detail, and design characteristics such asthe drainage gallery,

    Thermal characteristics for all materials used, including conductivity, specific

    heat, density, and age-dependent adiabatic temperature rise,

    Semi-monthly estimation of the hourly air temperature cycle, termed an

    environment,

    Placement time, estimated to within a tenth of a day, of each vertical lift ofmaterial placed during construction,

    Placement temperature of each vertical lift of material, and

    Wind-dependent surface heat transfer coefficient, to be applied to all externally-

    exposed surfaces through construction and during the observed curing period.

    The detailed temperature histories resulting from THERM analysis were then examinedacross horizontal and vertical sections to determine detailed mass and surface

    temperature gradient profiles. An example of a temperature history for estimated actual

    placement temperatures at a single point in the spillway (RL 42.3m, offset 19 m fromupstream face) is illustrated in Figure 2. This time history was later compared to actual

    data collected by thermocouples placed during construction. Discrepancies can beaccounted for by the two week delay in construction and a higher than modeled

    placement temperature. It should be noted that the 5 difference in placement temperature

    between modeled and actual results is carried through the entire time history.

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    Wyaralong RCC Dam 253

    Figure 2. Temperature Comparison of Modeled vs. Actual for Primary Spillway

    Modeling was also done using maximum allowable temperature to ensure no negative

    structural impacts of unexpectedly warm placement. Based on multiple iterations of

    analysis to determine sensitivity of placement temperature, the risk of thermal crackingwas found to be minimal. Worst case scenario cracking extended only though the facing

    CVC with no penetration to RCC, and no risk for internal cracking. Such conditions were

    produced only when modeling with maximum allowed placement temperatures (28C to

    33C) combined with a day shift placement scenario. Such temperatures and shiftscheduling did not occur during actual construction, and no unexpected thermal cracking

    was observed.

    Impact of Aggregate

    Use of previously termed poor quality aggregate proved helpful from a thermalstandpoint. As a way to mitigate low compressive strengths in the aggregate, the

    Wyaralong mix design included higher cementitious and accompanying water content

    than is typical in RCC construction. Such a mix would not have been possible hadaggregate demonstrated an elastic modulus more typical of RCC.

    FINAL DESIGN

    Final RCC Mix Design

    Below are the design criteria for the RCC outlined in the Specification:

    Provide adequate strength to meet structural design and durability criteria with

    normal or above normal factors of safety;

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    Minimize internal heat rise from hydration and subsequent stresses which may

    develop, potentially leading to cracking;

    Maximize stress relaxation through creep and elastic properties;

    Provide a constructible mix;

    Provide economy; and

    Provide watertight lift joints.

    The adopted mix design was selected based on the trial mix program data alreadydiscussed. The selected mix design (on the basis of compliance with expected

    parameters, workability, ease of compaction and compatibility with a facing mix) was an

    85+85+6.2(5)4X HC-M18mix with specific material properties summarized in Table 2.

    Table 2 Summary of RCC propertiesProperty Age Value

    3 days 0.36 MPaTensile Strength

    28 days 1.16 MPa

    28 days 4.4 MPaCompressive Strength Acc* 10.0 MPa

    25% Modulus Acc 7.1 GPa

    Mix Design Density - 2,239 kg/m3

    Air Pot Density - 2,267 kg/m3

    Air Content - 1.8%

    *Acc = Accelerated cure at 90C, test at 14 days. Result is equivalent to 365-day strength

    Based on all of the investigations undertaken on both the sandstone aggregate and the

    RCC made from the sandstone aggregate, it was concluded that an RCC mix could bedeveloped to meet the design and construction requirements. This included sufficient

    strength, workability and internal durability of the product.

    Final Dam Wall Design

    The potential for very low shear strength through weak planes, combined with

    unfavorable defect orientation, resulted in a relatively large dam cross-section to resistsliding through the foundation. As a result, the dam section is much larger than would

    ordinarily be required to meet acceptance levels for stresses within the dam body. The

    final section comprises a 0.8H:1V downstream slope with a crest width of 6m. A typicalcross-section of the primary spillway section is provided in Figure 3.

    8Denomination: 85+85+6.2(5)4X HC-M1 denotes 85 kg of cement + 85 kg of added pozzolan + 6.2%

    water at 5 % passing 0.075 mm in the aggregate gradation at 4X the normal admix dose. M1 is Millmerran

    commercial fly ash.

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    Figure 3. Primary Spillway Cross Section

    The stresses within the dam body were also reduced significantly by the very lowmodulus of elasticity of the sandstone RCC. The effect of the large cross-section

    combined with the low modulus has ensured that even under the probable maximum

    flood (PMF) and maximum design earthquake (MDE) events, only very minor tensilestresses will occur, and peak compressive stresses are only around 1MPa. Under normal

    operation conditions, the compressive stresses are typically only 200kPa.

    Despite the superior quality of the basalt, sandstone aggregate was still to be the preferredaggregate for the following reasons:

    Exceptional performance in terms of thermal loading;

    Reduced restrictions to placement schedule and cooling requirements;

    Less expensive (including better efficiency through double shifting, and not

    having a margin built into the price);

    Assured supply;

    No community impact;

    Reduced environmental impact; and

    No safety impact on public roads.

    CONSTRUCTION

    Construction on Wyaralong dam commenced in earnest in January 2010 with theexcavation of the foundation, and the dam started storing water in December 2010. Key

    dates in the construction of Wyaralong dam are provided in Table 3. Figure 4 shows the

    dam during construction.

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    256 21st Century Dam Design Advances and Adaptations

    Table 3. Key Construction DatesArea Start Finish

    Trial Section 26 March 2010 7 April 2010

    Left Abutment 26 April 2010 6 May 2010

    Right Abutment 10 May 2010 3 June 2010

    Remainder of the Dam 7 June 2010 10 November 2010

    Impoundment 17 December 2010

    Figure 4. Wyaralong dam during construction

    During the construction phase, minor changes were made to the design of the dam,

    predominantly to optimize the construction program, improve quality and minimize risks.

    The key changes included increasing the fines content of the RCC aggregate to minimizewastage as well as altering the retarder admixture to suit the climatic conditions and

    placement rates.

    These changes had a minor impact on the behavior of the RCC. As expected, strengths ofthe RCC dropped in response to the increase in fines, although the average strength was

    still substantially higher than the allowable limit in the Specification. In addition, theModulus of Elasticity of the RCC was slightly higher than predicted, but this had an

    insignificant impact on the stresses.

    PROJECT COMPLETION AND OVERTOPPING PERFORMANCE

    By early December 2010, construction of Wyaralong dam was completed to a stage

    where water could be impounded. On December 17th

    , the diversion pipe was pluggedduring a 12 hour operation.

    An analysis undertaken using records of the last 40 years of flows on the Teviot Brooksuggested that the storage would take anywhere between 26 days to more than 1 year to

    fill (assuming no outflows).

    On December 27th

    , a large flood event occurred in the Wyaralong catchment area,directing around 41,000 ML into the storage over a 27 hour period. The water in the

    reservoir rose around 7.8m during this period. In the second week of January, extensive

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    Wyaralong RCC Dam 257

    flooding rains hit south-east Queensland. Many parts of Queensland, including the state

    capital city of Brisbane, were flooded. During this event, a further 60,000ML fell in theWyaralong catchment, of which 20,000 ML was stored in the reservoir. On January11

    th,

    just 24 days after impounding water, the Wyaralong reservoir reached full supply level

    and the primary spillway initiated for the first time, passing around 40,000 ML and

    peaking at an outflow of around 350 m

    3

    /s, as shown in Figure 5.

    Figure 5. Wyaralong Dam first overtopping in January 2011(approx 1 of 15 AEP events)

    Not only did Wyaralong dam prevent a substantial quantity of water from entering thealready swollen downstream river system, but it also delayed the peak of the flood and

    has been reported to have prevented flooding of townships downstream of the dam. Thissuccess story is attributed to the fast construction program, which was only achievable

    due to the use of RCC.

    The unusually fast filling of Wyaralong dam has been the first major test in the design

    and construction of the dam. Numerous dam safety instruments are installed in the damincluding 38 piezometers, 22 joint pins, 3 tiltmeters, seepage weirs and survey targets. In

    general, the performance of the dam has been remarkably good, with piezometers

    indicating low to normal uplift pressures, joint meters showing as expected movements,and seepage being particularly low.

    CONCLUSION

    In the earliest stages of the Wyaralong project, the onsite quarried sandstone aggregate

    had many critics. In fact, many interested parties believed it was impossible to use as

    RCC aggregate, predominantly due to its high absorption, its low specific gravity and theinitial fears that it was cemented with expansive clays.

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    Extensive testing undertaken by the Wyaralong Dam Alliance indicated not only could it

    be used as the aggregate, but it also offered some favorable characteristics, most notablythe extremely low modulus of elasticity. In summary, the key advantages of the use of

    this aggregate were:

    The low modulus of elasticity which minimized thermal stresses and avoided the

    need to force cool the RCC. The low modulus of elasticity also meant that the properties of the dam closely

    matched the foundation, thus minimizing the stresses in the dam under normaloperating, flood and earthquake load cases.

    The relatively low cost of the aggregate as opposed to importing basalt aggregate.

    Avoiding the heavy traffic on local roads (and impact on the local community) by

    not importing aggregate.

    Within 24 days after impounding water, Wyaralong dam spilled with a peak outflow of

    around 350 m3/s. The dam passed its first test remarkably well, and is testament to the

    idea that a low quality aggregate can produce a high quality result.

    REFERENCES

    Australian Standards, Aggregates and rock for engineering purposes, AS2758.1,

    Standards Association of Australia, Homebush, New South Wales, Australia, 1998.

    Herweynen, R., Montalvo, R. and Ager, J., Using a clay cemented sandstone as RCCaggregate a major breakthrough at Wyaralong Dam, ANCOLD / NZSOLD

    Conference, Dam Decisions: Past Experiences, Future Challenges, 3-5 November 2010,

    Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 2010.

    USACE, Thermal Studies of Mass Concrete Structures, ETL 1110-2-542, Washington,DC. 30 May 1997.