Sixense Monitoring is regularly involved in structural health monitoring of structures, including dams, with the aim of guaranteeing the safety of sites and people, as well as enabling managers to make informed decisions. Accurate assessment of stresses and potential damage helps to prevent risks and ensure the long-term survival of structures.
As part of the study of the behaviour of the Turtmann dam facing the alkali-aggregate reaction and to gain a better understanding of the stress field in the concrete, Sixense Monitoring carried out a measurement campaign using the Slotstress flat jack over the entire dam. The results were sent to our client Alpiq in less than 24 hours, allowing them to better decide on the location of subsequent measurements. This mission, carried out for Forces Motrices de la Gougra (Alpiq), took place in the beautiful canton of Valais, at the foot of the Turtmann glacier.
The Turtmann dam in a few key figures:
- Built: between 1957 and 1958
- Altitude: 2178.5 m
- Dam height: 33 metres
- Maximum storage capacity: 850,000 m3
Our expertise gives our client a more accurate picture of the actual stresses in the structure and complements visual inspections and finite element modelling of behaviour. By combining these different tools, our client can optimise its monitoring programme for the structure and look forward to the coming years with peace of mind.
