Solutions
Dam and Reservoir Monitoring
Dams play a critical part in our world’s flood control and hydropower generation. Earthquake monitoring of dams and the surrounding area is important for the safe operation of these major infrastructure projects.
Dam monitoring projects generally involve various seismic monitoring disciplines combined in a common network. This network allows authorities to assess risk and monitor dam health throughout the structure's life cycle.
Prior to dam construction, a seismic monitoring network can be installed to understand background seismicity levels and determine if faults exist that could generate an earthquake of sufficient size. Such studies also assist the design engineers with information that can be used to create a structure that can withstand the expected seismicity in the area.
Once a dam is built, its structure can be instrumented at various locations with strong motion accelerometers or accelerographs to record any movement caused by earthquakes, wind loading, or the force of the water filling up behind the dam.
Data from the free-field seismic monitoring network surrounding the dam and reservoir, including wideband or broadband seismometers and accelerometers, can be telemetered in real time to a nearby or remote data acquisition center for automated real-time analysis and alerting. Simultaneously, data from instruments installed on the structure is sent in real time to engineers assessing dam structural health.
ISTI provides full turn-key instrumentation, infrastructure, and data processing services for dam monitoring projects. Whether you are planning a new project or upgrading or retrofitting an existing structure, ISTI can support your seismic and structural health monitoring requirements.